In the years I’ve spent helping people with their health and through disease, I’ve noticed that our general way of thinking about our bodies and how to take care of them often lacks a foundation of how to live through the seasons. From a Chinese medical perspective, the seasons have a profound effect on our growth and well-being, shifting our bodies in gentle ways day by day. For example, as Winter approaches and the days grow colder, our blood needs to grow thicker in order to remain healthy. Remaining in harmony with the seasons is second nature to our bodies but unfortunately many of us have lost that innate wisdom and awareness. Let’s take a brief look at Winter, how it affects our body and how we can establish some practices to stay in harmony through the coming months.
It is around this time every year where people tell me they lack energy or have feelings of being tired all the time, there is no motivation to do the million and one things on their to do list and have longings to slow down or say no to things. Many times people attribute these feelings to a condition or wonder what is wrong with them, but this is often just a simple misunderstanding of how the seasons work. In particular, the Winter.
Winter is a time when we become more receptive, introspective and self-oriented; a hibernation in sense. The colder climate and longer hours of darkness drive us inward. It is a time to rest, to gather and store physical energy and to awaken our spiritual self. Winter is the time to dedicate some space for journaling or meditating or even spending a quiet evening on the couch with a book. Try taking a break from social media and interact with others on a more intimate one on one basis.
What we eat and how we prepare our foods during this time of year is very important to our health. This is a time for warm hearty soups/foods/drinks, whole grains and stews. Conversely, a time to limit dairy, raw or cold foods. This means no ice cubes in drinks or food directly from the fridge. It also means winter is the time to limit salads and foods that are not cooked. This puts an undue burden on your digestive tract to warm up and then break down the food, slowing down digestion and causing GI symptoms. Using salt is beneficial when used with care. Salt can create a sinking of energy which heightens the capacity of storage, both welcomed in the winter time. Salty foods include miso, soy sauce, seaweeds, salt, millet, barley or any foods made salty. Bitter is also an appropriate flavor to eat which can bring your body heat deeper and lower into the body, protecting one from cold. Foods worth including are lettuce, watercress, turnip, celery, asparagus, alfalfa, carrot tops, rye, oats, quinoa and amaranth. A general concept for how to cook during winter is cooking on low heat for long periods of time (crock pots, stews) and warming foods thoroughly. Drink warming drinks like teas and cocoa.
Winter is full of celebration and cheer and one can remain in harmony with adequate rest and quietness. It’s ok to slow down, to stay at home and tuck yourself in. Enjoy the splendor of this time of year and stay in good health!!
To see a full list of our services, which are aimed at helping you find balance in these Winter months, please see our Services page.