Keeping Healthy In The Winter
Nearly five millennia ago, the Yellow Emperor’s Classics of Medicine recognized the seasonal influences on health and illness. According to Chinese medicine, the winter season is linked to kidneys, the adrenal glands, and the bladder; when these bodily systems are [...]
Nearly five millennia ago, the Yellow Emperor’s Classics of Medicine recognized the seasonal influences on health and illness. According to Chinese medicine, the winter season is linked to kidneys, the adrenal glands, and the bladder; when these bodily systems are out of balance, it depletes energy and leads the way to illness. During the cold months of winter, people are more prone to colds, flu, poor circulation, low vitality, and seasonal mood disorders.
To stay healthy, happy, and vital, follow the wise winter advice of the Yellow Emperor:
1. Early to bed, rise when the sun is up
The Yellow Emperor advises us to avoid experiencing excessive emotions in the winter because they drain your energy reserves.
• Follow your bliss. Use the cold dark days of winter to stay in and cuddle up with a book, or pick up a new indoor hobby, like knitting, woodcarving, baking — whatever appeals to you.
• Beat the winter blues with light therapy. Studies show that exposure to sunlight stimulates the pineal gland, which affects the production of other brain chemicals such as serotonin, the neurotransmitter sometimes called the “mood chemical.” It can also boost your immune system, waking up the activities of the natural killer cells that patrol our borders looking for intruders and cancer cells. If weather permits, get outdoors daily and let the sun bathe you with its life-giving and spirit-lifting properties. Even in the winter, avoid overexposure with sunscreen if out in the sun between 10 am – 3 pm.
2. Nurture energy storage
The three months of winter are when all living things should return home and be conserved. Engage in activities that are in harmony with the energies of winter.
• Physical movement is essential for circulating energy — but avoid perspiring excessively. In Chinese medicine, the sweat is seen as an escape of yang energy. Nurture your energy reserves by being active in a moderate way. Walking is one moderate activity to keep your energy up. Or consider practicing tai chi or qigong exercises, which are very effective in balancing energy.
• Avoid energy-depleting activities. Don’t try to do too much in one day. Try making only one or two items a priority every day. And be sure you give yourself some personal time, not just from other people, but also from our modern amenities that claim ever more of our personal space, such as TV, computers, and smart phones.
3. Eat for the season: no raw, cold foods
To keep your health and energy up in the cold months of winter, the Yellow Emperor recommends avoiding cold and raw foods, reducing salt to protect your kidneys, and increasing bitter flavors (like kale, for instance.) So steer clear of raw vegetables, cold salads, and icy cold foods and beverages.
In winter, you’ll tend toward a warming diet including leeks, onions, and turnips. Also, iron-rich foods can help warm you up: try spinach, broccoli, dried plums, oats, quinoa, sunflower and sesame seeds, walnuts, yams, squash, kale, garlic, scallions, and parsley. Hearty soups are good for you during the winter months. Drink only warm or hot water.
4. Avoid coldness and linger around warmth
• Dress warmly, paying special attention to your middle. In Chinese medicine, the abdomen is considered the storehouse of the body’s energy. Keeping your abdomen warm and protected from weather extremes has immense immunity benefits. A good way to replenish your energy bank is to regularly place a hot water bottle on your middle.
• Drink warming tea to keep your vitality fired up. Steep 1 teaspoon of any of the following in 1 cup of hot water: ginger, cinnamon, and clove. Or try the Winter Tea to expel cold, warm your kidney/adrenal system, and stoke your sensual fire.
• Chinese herbs can protect your energy reserves and boost your immunity. Astragalus and ginseng are considered to be adaptogens — natural substances that improve the body’s resistance to physical and environmental stress, thereby enhancing the immune system.
If you go against these rules for winter, it is said that weakness and coldness in the extremities will leave your energy level weakened in the spring.
I love the advice from Dr. Maoshing Ni. He always gives wonderful advice and articles on Yahoo Health. One thing that he talks about is keeping healthy during the winter months, and how important it is is to slow down during this time. I encourage his book, ” Secrets of Self-Healing.”
Source: Yahoo Health
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I am a Holistic Life Coach, health coach and meditation teacher. My goal is to help people find inner peace and contentment during times of stress and worry. I have a passion for assisting those with anxiety disorders, stress, health and nutrition. I believe we are made of mind, body, soul, and environment. It is of much importance to keep good health in each one of these areas.