Winter has arrived in the northern hemisphere inviting us into a cozy place to turn our focus inward. As the temperatures drop, our bodies require more care and nurturing. This is a season of storage and preparation.
Winter in Chinese Medicine
In Chinese Medicine, winter is full yin. It has the characteristics of feminine energy, of being inactive and still, coolness, dampness, slowness, and quiet as everything slows down. Our bodies instinctively want to rest, reflect, conserve, and store energy. Giving ourselves the time for introspection, rest, and conserving our vitality prepares us for the outburst of growth and activity in the new year and once spring emerges. This is truly a time for hibernation, manifestation, and tending to our inner flame. It is a chance to plant the seeds for what you want to sprout in spring.
In Chinese Medicine FIve Element Theory, winter is represented by the element of water. The organs associated with this element and time are the Kidneys and the Urinary Bladder. Some other connotations are the colors black and blue; the emotions of fear and willpower; the direction of north; the taste of salty; the climate of cold; the tissues are bones; and the sense and sense organs are hearing and ears.
Stay in Balance
When we are in balance during this season we are keeping warm, staying quiet, getting adequate sleep and rest, spending more time at home, finding time for introspection, are in the spirit of giving, and are preserving and nourishing ourselves. When we are out of balance in this time we are overactive, spending more time out at parties and having late nights, lacking rest and sleep, are in a state of dissipation and fragmentation, we find ourselves more frustrated, and tending more towards patterns of hoarding.
The Winter Diet
The winter diet should consist of local and seasonal foods which are generally lots of root vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, and onions. Food and drinks should be consumed warm and hot to keep the body and digestion warm. Stews, soups, and denser food helps to provide grounding and good sustenance for the body. Garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon are all great warming spices and ingredients that also provide various natural antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral effects. If you eat grains, cooked whole grains such as millet and buckwheat are perfect for this season. Beans such as black beans, adzuki beans, and lentils are all very nourishing to the kidneys. Eating nuts, some good quality meat, and minimal dairy if you eat it can be fortifying. Deep sea fish and seaweed can provide some great nutrition for this period. Try to avoid cold foods and drinks, excessive sugar, and in general overindulgence.
Stay Active and Warm
There are a few other great health hacks to support you in the winter. Make sure that you are still getting adequate exercise and movement which may tend toward indoor activities due to weather circumstances. Yoga, pilates, tai chi, qi gong, stretching, and light cardio workouts are all great go-tos.
Nature time is always golden so any opportunity, take it! Meditation, mindfulness, journaling, and creative activities are all excellent to facilitate more inward time. Keep your body warm and make sure to cover your neck when out in the elements. This will help prevent colds and flus. Hot epsom salt soaks and saunas are great at promoting warmth and circulation in the body. Acupuncture and cupping are also great immune system allies.
Honor Yourself and the Season
We are a part of nature and when we live accordingly in alignment with our surroundings and the seasons, we give ourselves a better opportunity to exist optimally. So cozy up with a good book and hot cup of tea and take that time to honor yourself and the season!
