Hi dear friend,
How are you doing? We are knee-deep in autumn, and some parts of the world have already started shoveling snow.
Check out the previous posts below:
● Preparing Your Body for Winter: Essential Health Tips to Stay Strong All Season
● Building a Support System for Seasonal Change
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, many of us find ourselves moving at a slower pace. The winter months invite a kind of stillness that can feel both refreshing and frustrating — especially when you’re trying to stay productive.
This week, my colleague was commenting on how gray and dark it was at 11 am, and honestly, I was like I just want to go home and grab a hot drink and duvet.
Between the cozy pull of your blanket and the never-ending to-do list, finding balance between productivity and rest can feel like an uphill climb. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to choose one over the other. You can be both rested and productive — you need the right rhythm. Understand that seasons ebb and flow, and you can adjust your own workflow and family life while still being productive in a different way when the season changes.
The definition of Rest needs to be updated in our heads. We have packaged rest as a laziness, rest can be more. It can be a state of understanding that you are doing your best and depending on God to engineer your moves as he pleases.
Forming a relationship in which his promises to you are real and an actual lived experience. It is relationship-based. It will require you to get to the cliff edge and let go, and jump. It will require a deep level of Trust and Obedience. That is the cost of Rest.
1. Recognize the Season’s Natural Rhythm
Winter is nature’s reminder that rest is not laziness — it’s preparation.
Just like trees conserve energy to bloom again in spring, you’re allowed to slow down to recharge. Instead of fighting the season, flow with it.
Try this:
● Set realistic goals for each day — focus on progress, not perfection.
● Acknowledge that your energy levels might shift, and that’s okay.
● Schedule lighter workloads when daylight hours are shorter.
● Wake up with the sunlight, go to bed with the sunset.
● Improve your productivity by planning ahead and maximizing your energy boost
When you honor your body’s rhythm, productivity becomes sustainable, not stressful.
2. Redefine What Productivity Means
We often measure productivity by output — how many tasks we’ve completed, how many boxes we’ve checked. But true productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most.
Consider redefining your productivity as intentional living. Maybe it’s finishing one meaningful project. Maybe it’s being fully present with your family. Maybe it’s simply maintaining your mental health.
Ask yourself:
● What’s essential right now?
● What can wait?
● What can I let go of entirely?
This mindset shift allows you to stay productive without burning out.
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3. Make Rest a Non-Negotiable Part of Your Schedule
Rest isn’t a reward for working hard — it’s a requirement for your well-being.
Winter provides a natural opportunity to slow down, reflect, and restore. A time to pause and store up energy, and plan for a new beginning.
Ways to prioritize rest:
● Create a nightly wind-down routine — dim the lights, read a book, or journal.
● Take short midday breaks to stretch, breathe, or sip something warm. Go for a walk during your lunch time, it sets you up for a good night’s rest.
● Make sleep a sacred habit — aim for consistent bedtimes.
● Remember: Rest is not the opposite of productivity; it’s the fuel for it.
4. Nourish Your Mind and Body
Cold weather can affect both your mood and motivation. Staying active, hydrated, and nourished keeps your body strong and your mind alert.
Try incorporating:
● Light exercise or morning stretches to boost energy.
● Vitamin-rich meals (especially Vitamin B, D, and C).
● A gratitude practice to keep your mindset positive.
Taking care of your body enhances your mental clarity — helping you work better and feel better. Honor your body
5. Create Cozy Work and Rest Zones
Environment matters, especially during winter.
A cozy, well-lit workspace can motivate you to stay focused, while a comfortable rest zone reminds you to switch off when it’s time.
Tips to create balance in your space:
● Use warm lighting near your desk.
● Keep a soft throw blanket or candle nearby for comfort.
● Dedicate one space for work and another for relaxation.
● Turn on your heating, please.
● Invest in good outdoor wear
This physical separation helps your brain understand when to produce and when to pause. It will be hard to maintain this if you are not quite boundaried. Resist the urge to work in bed or at home if you work out of the home.
Final Thoughts
Winter is not a season to conquer — it’s one to coexist with. Maximise it and enjoy the opportunity to slow down and reflect, bring productivity in other domains you would usually not think of.
Consider working on relationships in your life this autumn, and create a plan to enrich a dear relationship. With your spouse, child, parent, friend, or colleague, plan events or attend places of interest together.
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Balancing productivity and rest during these months isn’t about doing less or more, but about doing what nurtures your growth.
As you sip your warm tea and watch the days unfold, remember:
You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to rest. You have our permission.
And when you do, you’ll find that your productivity doesn’t disappear — it deepens.
Until next time — stay warm, stay growing, stay loving, stay whole.
With love and light,
Amaka
