Winter: Season of Stillness and Reflection
A seed in the frozen ground of winter is readying itself for spring. Its work is deep, slow, and silent. - Jennifer Blair, Lac
During the long winter months, when the world outside feels cold and quiet, it is important for us to honor our own body’s need for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation as it prepares itself for the upcoming bloom that comes with spring.
According to Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements, or perhaps more aptly, 5 phases, are a method by which we can explain the manifestations of this world. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water help us define our relationship to the physical world, the spiritual world, and our bodies. They describe the flow of Qi (vital force) in all things within the natural world and our bodies. In balance, these elements help us live in harmony with the cycles of nature. In right-relationship to their flexible and ever-changing co-existence we can achieve optimal health.
According to Chinese Medicine, Water is the phase of the winter season and is associated with the Kidney Organ/Bladder System. The source of all life is water. It can flow gently in a stream or rage in an ocean - creating life or destroying it. Water makes up much of our body and is most critical to the health of our cells, blood, and lymph system. As in western medicine, the Kidneys and Bladder are the critical organs involved in maintaining our water/acid balance, metabolism, and in the elimination of waste products. Within the perspective of Chinese medicine, the Kidney/Bladder System is also responsible, in part, our adrenal function. The Kidney/Bladder system is connected to our genetic makeup. It controls growth and development, is responsible for our reproductive system as well as overall brain function. In addition, this system is associated with our bones, teeth, hair, ears, lower back, and knees. If there is a lack of nourishment and hydration, we overwork our Kidney energy and become depleted, and this can lead to physical and emotional health concerns, including:
Anxiety, excess fear, difficulty with change - Arthritic pain, especially of the lower back and knees – Asthma - Shortness of breath – Dizziness-Dark complexion and dark circles around eyes - Dizziness/vertigo – Eczema – Edema – Fatigue/Adrenal exhaustion - High blood pressure – Headaches - Hair loss - Menopausal challenges - Reproductive challenges – Low libido - Teeth problems – Tinnitus - Sinus conditions - Urinary Bladder issues -Vertigo
Thriving in the Winter:
Stay Hydrated - Warm your digestion and start the day with a cup of hot lemon water. Add grated ginger, turmeric and a cinnamon stick for a most delicious beverage. Drink warm water with mint, lime slices, fennel seeds, ginger, or Goji berries. Enjoy a cup of nettles, dandelion, lemon balm, red clover tea, or a savory cup of bone broth or miso soup. The warmth will soften the stomach lining for better absorption of nutrients and fluids for the rest of the day. Supporting the digestion also supports the immune system. Drink room temperature water throughout the day in small sips. Be sure to listen to your own body and follow its lead. Do you have thirst without the desire to drink? Ask Jalashree to help you understand why.
Eat Warmer Foods – Nourish yourself with more warm and cooked foods such as soups, stews, and roasts and move away from cold, raw foods. Rich and dense foods such as winter squashes, winter peas, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, red cabbage, sweet potatoes, yams, root vegetables, seaweed, mushrooms, and dark leafy greens support the digestion and help protect us from the cold. Adopt a hearty winter diet made up of legumes and whole grains such as black rice, wild rice, buckwheat, wheat groats, and red quinoa. By feeding ourselves warm and nourishing foods, we provide a rooted and strong base from which growth can occur. Add aromatic seasonings such as garlic, ginger, cinnamon, sage, thyme, and rosemary. Skip refined sugar. Eat fruits such as apples, pears, berries, persimmons, and chestnuts, instead.
Slow Down - Enjoy calming and creative activities, such music, art, more reading, journaling, puzzles, coloring, and family game nights or simply put your feet up and relax, just BE. Regular gentle exercise/movements such as yoga, Qigong, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and walks keep muscles, tendons, bones flexible and strong. These are all relaxing and connected forms of exercise. Deep and full belly breaths calm and nourish the mind and support the kidney and adrenal systems.
Sleep More – Nurture yourself by going to bed early and rising later with the sun. Days are shorter and nights are longer. More hours of the day are Yin (dark, quiet, cool, and inactive). Try following nature’s lead by going to bed a little earlier. Rest allows our body to heal and renew.
Be Still and Renew - Take time to observe the beauty of stillness and winter. If we are able to acknowledge our own fears and accept all that is happening around us, fear can be experienced as a cleansing emotion. Remember to do this with compassion and kindness. We can then move with courage as we release old thoughts and patterns that no longer serve us, ultimately allowing us to embrace our innate wisdom. By engaging and letting go, we grow and best position ourselves for the renewal around the corner.
Seek Preventative Care – Balance and nourish the Kidney/Adrenal energy with Acupuncture, Moxibustion, herbal remedies, and massage strengthen our body and move us towards a reset, renewal, and harmony.