Winter Wellness Tips
Chinese Medicine teaches us to live in harmony with the seasons; adjusting our lifestyle habits with nature to create a balance between our bodies and the environment. This was easy to do thousands of years ago when people lived more of an agrarian lifestyle. They rose with the sun, worked the land, ate the food that grew well during that season and were, in general, in tune with the natural world around them since it had a direct effect on their lives.
Today, it is a little more challenging to live in harmony with nature. We have grocery stores that provide us with just about any food we desire, regardless of the season. Many people have jobs that are in climate-controlled buildings. We have electricity so we can be awake at all hours of the day doing things. Although our world may look a bit different than it did thousands of years ago, we can still do many small things to harmonize our bodies with the seasons. Before we get into the seasonal care tips, I want to give some background to the Chinese Medicine associations with winter. Knowing the what and why helps us fully embrace the natural seasons, creating better health outcomes.
According to Chinese Medicine, winter is the most Yin time of the year. It is dark, cold, and still compared to the bright, hot, and active nature of Yang during the summer. Winter is the time when our Qi flows the deepest throughout the body. It is crucial to thoroughly nourish the body so that we can emerge in the Spring ready for growth and transformation.
Winter is the season controlled by the Water element and is associated with the Kidneys and Bladder. The Kidneys store Jing, one of the three treasures. Jing, or essence, is essentially our battery pack. There are two types; prenatal and postnatal. Prenatal jing is a highly concentrated energy that we inherit from our parents. It is formed at conception and determines our constitution, or strength and vitality. There is a finite amount of prenatal jing, which is why it is incredibly important to live a balanced life so that one can conserve this essence. Once born, we begin to take in nutrients on our own forming postnatal Jing. We can strengthen and rebuild our postnatal Jing through proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits. By rebuilding postnatal Jing, we are able to more efficiently use prenatal Jing, effectively slowing down the aging process.
While it is unavoidable to use at least some Jing on a daily basis with work, life, and aging, it is more quickly depleted by overwork, stress, lack of sleep, fear, trauma, excessive sexual activity, and illness. Signs of imbalance in the water element include low back pain, weak knees, fatigue, fertility issues in both men and women, autoimmune flare-ups, and excessive fear and holding grudges.
By taking a cue from nature, we should slow down, rest, and restore. Bears hibernate, chickens lay fewer eggs, many plants go dormant, and water stills or freezes. Although it would be quite lovely to hibernate with a warm blanket and endless cups of tea, we humans still have responsibilities that require us to put on pants and head out into the world. Here are some tips to help you get through winter.
Seasonal eating: This is more than just eating what is in season; we also must consider foods that support the kidney and bladder. Foods that are dark, salty, and hydrating will help to nourish the water element. Consider adding more nuts, seeds, legumes (especially black and kidney beans), seaweed, dark berries, saltwater fish, bone broth, and acrid or warming spices such as star anise, ginger, and cinnamon. Soups and stews are the game plan all winter long, especially when cooked low and slow. Try to avoid cold, raw foods such as salads and smoothies as these will slow down digestion making our body work a lot harder than it needs to. If you are a salad lover, try eating warm salads made with roasted root veggies and a tasty dressing.
Low-impact exercise: Just because this is the time of year to rest, doesn’t mean we don’t need to exercise. Exercise is important for keeping the Qi flowing and staying in shape. Consider modifying your normal workout routine to be less intense or switching to more low-impact activities such as tai chi, qi gong, or yoga. Fort Collins has several locations throughout town for yoga, tai chi, and qi gong. You can also find videos on youtube if you prefer to do them in the comfort of your home.
Stay warm: There are important points for vitality, immune function, and emotional well-being on the feet, knees, back, neck, and head. It is essential to keep the body warm to maintain health in these channels. It is best practice to wear socks or slippers to keep the feet warm, as well as a beanie and a scarf when you must go outside (or even inside if you are feeling chilled!). This is especially important for anyone who tends to experience frequent colds, is experiencing fertility or sexual health issues, or is often fatigued.
Reflect inwards and reduce stress: Since the Qi does a deep dive into the body, this is a great time for us to do some internal work. Meditation, journaling, and breathwork are all great activities to do on your own. Consider working with a therapist or joining a meditation group if you have a difficult time doing the internal work by yourself. These activities can help you process any stress, grudges, fear, or anxiety that you are holding onto and prohibit you from experiencing optimal health.
Rest and Restore: Good sleep is vital for deep kidney nourishment. Go to bed earlier, sleep later, and rest when you can. If you struggle with insomnia, try a warm bath before bed, a warm glass of milk with honey (dairy-free milk works too!), do a sleep meditation, and avoid electronics in the bedroom.
As always, a seasonal acupuncture tune-up will also keep your body in check so that you can stay healthy and happy throughout the season.