How support ourselves during Winter
Chinese medicine and philosophy and places great emphasis on living in harmony with the seasons. This means adapting our diet and lifestyle according to the time of year. Winter is related to the water element and is associated with the kidney and bladder. During this time of cold, damp winter weather, our Qi (energy) needs special care and nourishment.
The movement of autumn in Chinese philosophy is downward and this is reflected in the root vegetables that are available at this time. Unlike summer vegetables that get their energy by soaking up the sun’s rays, winter vegetable reach down into the ground to get their sustenance and we in turn are nourished and sustained when we eat them.
6 tips for the winter season
Slow down. Extreme exercise and activity is contraindicated during winter. However, it’s important to keep the body healthy with gentle exercise (especially outdoor activities, when you can get some fresh air and sunlight).
Winter is the time to rest and to reflect on our health, conserve strength and store energy. It is best to align sleep and wake times more with the sunset and sunrise, going to bed and waking early.
Meditation and breathing techniques help manage stress and mood. This helps us prepare for the coming spring, when Yang will be rising and might create emotional turmoil.
Carry a jumper with you. People are often still wearing their summer clothes but temperatures fluctuate in Autumn and in Chinese medicine it’s important to avoid subjecting yourself to changes in temperature which are considered bad for the immune system. So to avoid an autumn cold dress in layers so that you can wrap up easily if the weather changes
Food consumption should be limited along with reduced activity. This also prevents unnecessary weight gain in wintertime. It is best to avoid eating raw food and focus on warming meals like soups/stews, root vegetables, beans and lentils, whole grains and nuts. Protect the kidneys with sufficient amounts of warm water and herbal teas.
Add plenty of warming herbs and spices to food and drink, including ginger, turmeric, cumin, cardamom and cinnamon.
Keep your feet warm. The feet often suffer from poor circulation, especially in Winter months. There are many important acupuncture points located on the feet that are closely related with the internal organs, and therefore it is important to protect the feet in order to prevent imbalances occurring in the organs. This is particularly important for women during their period, when pregnant or when trying to conceive