And now we enter the season of treats

There are evolutionarily biological reasons why we move and eat differently during the different seasons, but we’ve also built a lot of culture around food and movement and seasons.

In the summer, we eat more fresh food (in general), and a lot of people find themselves naturally eating lighter. We tend to move more because the good weather and longer days call us to the outdoors, even if just for more walks.

The holidays are very different during the summer, too. You might play volleyball or badminton during a July 4th picnic, but I doubt the idea has come up for Christmas. ((ha))

Then comes autumn and winter. It’s natural to go for more carbs to create more fat layers to protect against harsh weather. The days are shorter so we tend to rest and sleep more and just generally be more still.

And then the holidays… oh, the holidays! Every single one is about FOOD — heavy foods typically — and if you don’t overeat, people wonder what’s wrong with you. We even give lots of gifts of foods.

There is one excuse for a treat after another in these colder, darker months.

But what if we changed it up a bit and altered our ideas of “treats.” Just a bit. Because even a bit could make a difference, and we’re not talking weight here as much as feeling good in body and mind. Wouldn’t less winter aches and pains and depression be a good thing?

What if we started to look at the word “treats” in a different light? What if we decided that to qualify as a treat, that it had to make us feel good… like actually good. What if it had to give us energy? What if it had to make our minds clear and bright? What if it had to support our mental health? What if a treat had to contribute to healthy relationships in some fun way?

So instead of gorging on sugar that makes us feel awful and gives us headaches, we make a date to attend a yoga class we’ve been curious about with a good friend?

What if…

Instead of weighing ourselves down with heavy carbs regularly, we get regular massages?

For a present, we give someone an experience of some kind of wellness service?

Instead of overdrinking at a party, we play word games to sharpen our minds? Or even just pull out an old game like twister? Or play some Nintendo sports?

What if instead of spending the dark months in front of Netflix with bowls of chips, we find ways to treat ourselves to vibrancy, curiosity, and awe?