62. How To Rewild Your Daily Life And Feel More Grounded This Winter
This week, Kate talks with Micah Mortali, author of Rewilding and founding director of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership. Together they explore what it means to reconnect with nature in a culture shaped by screens, artificial light, and constant productivity.
Micah shares simple, realistic practices to reintroduce natural rhythms into daily life, especially during winter. The conversation covers candle rituals, light hygiene, the physiology of rest, the lost rhythm of second sleep, nesting, outdoor rituals, seasonal awareness, and the restorative impact of what Micah calls the green mirror.
This is a deeply grounding conversation for anyone feeling scattered, overstimulated, or out of sync with seasonal changes.
What We Cover
How blue light and red light affect mood, hormones, and sleep
Why winter naturally invites more rest and what it looks like to honor that
The art of nesting as a biological and seasonal instinct
Why screen centered living disrupts the nervous system
Slow TV and other practices that regulate attention
Why a sit spot is transformative and how to start one
Marking solstice and seasonal thresholds as part of daily health
How winter walking supports circadian rhythm and mood
Nature connection as a remedy for overwhelm
How rewilding intersects with Ayurveda, digestion, and daily routine
Guest Bio: Micah Mortali
Micah Mortali is an author, public speaker, and leader in the fields of mindfulness, rewilding, traditional archery, and nature connection. He is the author of Rewilding: Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature, a guide that blends yoga, contemplative practice, ancestral skills, and earth based wisdom.
Micah is the founding director of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership, where he designed one of the first training programs to certify mindful outdoor guides. His teaching centers on restoring human relationships with the natural world through presence, awareness, and direct experience.
He is also the creator of the online School of Rewilding, an ongoing community for people looking to live more nature centered lives. Micah holds a Masters degree in Health Arts and Sciences from Goddard College and lives in the Berkshires with his family.
Website: https://www.micahmortali.com
Instagram: @micah_rewilding
Take Home Practices
Keep lights low one evening a week to let your natural bedtime emerge
Use a candle or warm light for evening reflection
Visit the same outdoor spot regularly as a sit spot
Walk outside between 11 and 1 for nourishment from natural light
Observe what is moving outside your window as a form of slow TV
Create a winter nest at home as a seasonal ritual
Mark the solstice or mid winter with a simple gathering or fire ritual
Relevant Links
Micah Mortali: https://www.micahmortali.com
School of Rewilding: via his website
Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership: https://kripalu.org
If this episode leaves you craving more rhythm and rest, subscribe to Everyday Ayurveda with Kate and share it with someone who has been feeling winter fatigue. To explore deeper support for seasonal routines, visit healwithkate.org.
Health Disclaimer
The information shared on Everyday Ayurveda with Kate is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or wellness routine.
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