Bodies are in tune with their environment, and their needs change with the seasons. To live optimally, we can aim to follow the seasons and alter our habits accordingly.
image by Aleksandar Cvetanovic
WINTER // FOCUS ON:
- Reflecting inward
- Extra rest
- Conserving your energy
- Confronting fears
- Warmth (especially: neck, back, feet)
- Low stress, use techniques to manage stress if needed
- Warm foods that are easy to digest (cold food is harder to digest, takes more energy for the body to process), such as soups, stews, and cooked vegetables
- Hydration, we forget when it isn’t hot out. But water is still important for the body’s processes in winter. (Drink room temp or warm/hot)
- Get regular Acupuncture to turn down the adrenaline response so the body can rest more deeply, balance energy in the darker months, and boost immunity against colds/flus.
BLACK + PURPLE COLOR FOODS augment the Kidney meridian system. In Chinese medicine, the Kidneys are considered the ‘innermost organ’, and they are especially important to care for in the winter season when we go the most inward. Eating black or purple foods support the kidneys according to 5 Element Theory.
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Ideas (organic when possible):
- blackberries
- black beans
- walnuts
- seaweed
- walnuts
- eggplant
A BRIEF LOOK AHEAD // SPRING:
Spring is a time of regeneration and renewal, a good time to cleanse, expand, and become more active as the weather thaws and the days get longer
- Liver/Gallbladder meridian system is the focus. When this system is flowing smoothly, we experience physical and emotional well-being
- More stretching and movement
- Give your body a break from toxins (processed foods, caffeine, alcohol, soda)
- Green foods are the way to go, young plants especially (e.g. leafies, sprouts)
- Sour flavor can stimulate the liver’s energy. Add lemon +/or Apple Cider Vinegar to your water.
- Ger regular acupuncture to boost immunity against seasonal allergies, and keep the Liver’s energy flowing smoothly
Signs of an exterior invasion (onset of cold/flu):
- Achiness in neck and shoulders
- Intolerance to wind and/or cold
- Fever and/or chills
- Stuffy nose / head
- Sore throat / swollen feeling in glands
ACT FAST!
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- Catch it early for best results to reduce length and severity of illness
- Get Acupuncture and ask for an antiviral herbal formula
- Decrease intake of inner-building herbs, supplements, foods (cease use of ginseng, miso, rich animal protein, tonifying herbs)
- Eat less, and more simply, focusing on Liquids
- If there are chills, focus meals on broths and soups
- If there is fever, OK to use juices
- Try to induce a bit of SWEATING by taking warm tea (e.g, fresh cut ginger, cinnamon, chamomile) or warm foods and then bundling up, and repeat a few times over the day (NOTE: do not induce excess sweating to the point of exhaustion. Just a light sweat to release pathogens out of the skin)
- Cover the neck and upper back well with layers, as this is where the ‘external wind invasion’ occurs according to Chinese Medicine
After the pathogen has passed, build back strength and boost immunity
- Return to balanced meals
- Supplement with Vit C, Echinacea, and Elderberry especially when under stress and around those with known exterior pathogen illness.
- Ger regular Acupuncture to keep immunity up, balance energy, calm the stress response system, and decrease inflammation and pain.