A Gold Coast based spiritual adviser says we should brace ourselves for changes in mood from our friends and family with temperatures plummeting in winter.

Rose Smith who heads up Absolute Soul Secrets says when we enter the coldest part of the year many people suffer from some kind of emotional and physical freeze.

“Without even realising why, we will wake up in the morning feeling a little down, flat and in some cases, depressed because of the colder conditions and the decreased light.”

“People are also so busy these days that they tend to repress their feelings so the available energy for doing physical things decreases during winter.”

“That energy has to go somewhere, and it’s generally pushed further down into the body or alternatively out of the body and into the ether.”

“Either way, feelings that are not appropriately expressed cause all manner of problems including health, wellbeing and relationship issues.”

“Winter is a time of hibernation, for staying close to home, going to bed earlier, sleeping more and doing less. This is part of the natural cycle.”

“The trouble is people are trying to keep up their hectic lifestyles during winter and are therefore risking their health and relationships, because they’re not working in flow with nature.”

“Nature is constantly giving us clues as to how we should be living but we’re always trying so hard to keep up this frantic pace of life that we end up sick and unhappy.”

Spiritual adviser Rose Smith has the following tips to help process our emotions this winter:

• Go Outside – Half of all Australians are Vitamin D deficient because they don’t get enough sunlight. Spend 20 minutes outside every day and you’ll notice a difference in mood
• Exercise –It’s important to stay active during the colder months so you don’t let the feelings of being flat take over and remain with you for the whole of winter
• Stay Hydrated– Most people don’t tend to drink as much water in winter because it’s so cold. Heat it up to a lukewarm temperature ensuring you are able to drink enough
• Rest – Winter is a period of hibernation so getting enough sleep is very important to maintain our energy levels through the colder months
• Hobbies – Pick up interests like art or music that are more home bound and less stressful
• Spend Time on Yourself – pamper yourself, spend time in meditation and look after yourself more. Pay special attention to your diet
• Balanced Life – Have plenty of time alone to think and reflect without distraction of phones, computers and other people. Spend time with family and friends at other times

Rose Smith also believes climatic changes to traditional seasons have had a significant impact on why we feel the way we do at certain stages of the year.

“The seasons are changing with global climate change and this is having a pronounced effect on our emotions.”

“Over the past century we’ve failed to look after the planet properly so as a result with climate change we’re also seeing a change in people’s behavioural and emotional patterns.”

“We can’t underestimate the link between people’s overall wellbeing and the weather.”

“Children and animals in particular feel the stress and strain of the earth, so that’s why many school teachers will tell you that kids are generally more disruptive on cold, wet and windy days.”

For more information or to get a reading head to Absolute Soul Secrets.