The Daring Well Podcast - Holistic Health & Wellness, Mindset, and Personal Growth · Rita Mercer, Wellness, Mindset & Mental Health Expert

Wintering, Leaning into Rest - What Your Body & Soul Needs (Replay)

·23 min

Rita Mercer, host of The Daring Well Podcast, explores the holistic concept of "wintering" as a necessary season of rest and retreat. This solo episode frames wintering as an active, personal process of renewal beyond the literal cold months. Mercer connects this practice to her own current experience navigating perimenopause and its physical and mental changes. She draws direct parallels to nature, noting how trees shed leaves and wildlife becomes less active during shorter days and longer nights. Wintering can signify a life transition prompted by loss, disappointment, a health change, or emotional difficulty. Mercer warns that if we don't consciously slow down, life will eventually force a stop to allow for healing. She shares personal adaptations, like dressing in layers for comfort and embracing naps without apology. A key insight is her advice that "all money is not good money," rejecting opportunities that disrespect one's time, boundaries, or expertise. Mercer challenges the listener to consider how long they have been the "strong one" for others while internally struggling. She provocatively asks how long recovery takes after pushing oneself for "26 hours out of the day," highlighting unsustainable hustle culture. The episode reframes rest not as laziness but as a necessary piece of growth and an active process of strengthening. Mercer suggests practical starting points like journaling, taking a day off, meditating, or spending time in nature as forms of soul nurturing. She emphasizes that wintering is a temporary season, just as winter gives way to spring, preparing one for a new chapter of resilience and joy. The tone is intimate, encouraging, and conversational, as if offering gentle advice to a close friend. It is educational and reflective, blending personal storytelling with universal wellness principles. Listeners seeking permission to prioritize rest, especially those feeling burned out or in a life transition, will find deep validation and practical guidance. Individuals who prefer fast-paced, data-driven, or interview-style content might find the solo, reflective style less engaging.

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