Iron Rod Press Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 39

Falling in Love with Hibernation

September 29, 2026 - Last week I talked about the need to slow down but not to take on a full-on hibernation. Well, this week, that's exactly what I want to talk about!

Did you know that it's not just bears that hibernate? Let's learn from some of our other animal friends how we can take advantage of hibernating. (See https://www.treehugger.com/animals-hibernate-arent-bears-4864277.)

1. "Groundhogs and marmots are true hibernators that burrow underground and drop their heart rates to a few beats per minute." Curl up under a comforter (there's a reason it's called that) and let your own heart rate slow down.
2. "Bats go into a state of torpor when temperatures get cold and they need to conserve energy. Torpor in bats can last from a couple of hours to a month." Now I'm not recommending doing this for a month at a time, but maybe an hour every once in a while wouldn't be a bad idea.
3. "Snails hibernate any time the weather is extreme: in hot weather, when the process is known as estivation, and in cold temperatures, when it is known as hibernation. During either state, snails can use mucus to seal their shells and protect themselves from the elements." Maybe you need to seal yourself off from the world, no matter what the temperature might be.
4. "Turtles are ectothermic, meaning that they can't produce their own body heat and instead receive heat from the environment. To save energy, turtles brumate when temperatures start dropping. Like hibernation, brumation is a period of inactivity during winter. Unlike hibernation, however, brumation does not involve sleep." Maybe you don't need to sleep, just slow down like our turtle friends.
5. "The fat-tailed dwarf lemur is the only primate known to engage in a combined hibernation and torpor state for an extended period of time ... [often] during the dry season when water is scarce. During this hibernation, fat-tailed dwarf lemurs also engage in periods of warming and increased heart rate." You may not have a fat tail, but may need to slow down during your own dry spells. You won't get any judgment from me!

Le me know your best way to hibernate. Who knows? You might help me find a new method to slow down and enjoy life a bit more.

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So until next time, always keep your eye on the One that loves you most. Ciao!

Janine

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