10/27/2026
I stole away to the ocean for the Full Moon in Ta**us. It was absolutely beautiful, and I had so many personal realizations at the shore.
I see a lot of people start to run faster and harder in their lives at this time of year, spurred by family gatherings and holiday shopping. But it's so important to slow down.
We have an internal body clock that regulates our sleep, our hormones, our digestion, and so much else. Doctors refer to these daily biological cycles as our circadian rhythms. If you are running on fumes or under high stress, these regulatory rhythms can be disrupted, potentially contributing to insomnia, brain fog, food cravings, and other difficulties.
People often end up taking medications or supplements like melatonin in hopes of getting back into balance, without making other life changes. But here's the truth: science has shown that being outdoors in nature can help regulate and even reset those circadian rhythms. How wild is it that we sometimes reach for another remedy before considering something as simple as a nature date?
I try to go to the ocean, the woods, or the lake at least once a week, but sometimes I go through dry spells. At those times I'm definitely more wired, and more likely to self-medicate with comfort food and caffeine. I'm pretty sure it makes things worse!
Around 40% of people experience the winter blues, and some develop Seasonal Affective Disorder. Both are associated with changes in daylight, which can disrupt our circadian rhythms, and spending time in nature can help support those rhythms.
So yeah, it's easier to pop a few supplements and wash them down with coffee, and the world would understand... but the time and energy you take to reconnect with nature can be a meaningful part of caring for yourself in a culture that rarely encourages us to slow down.
I'm saying this last part in my best Bette Midler Hocus Pocus voice, with a pointed finger: " Get thee to Nature."