Traditional Chinese Medicine Winter Health Tips for the New Year
TraditionalChinese Medicine reflects a connection to nature with the winterseason allowing for deeper introspection and nourishment, so that our seeds andintentions can develop internally before they blossom into the spring.
Happy New Year! The holiday excitement is over and now we
can move into the stillness of the winter season. It’s a perfect time to become
more introspective, set new goals, and nourish your entire being according to
the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is rooted in the
philosophy that people should live in harmony with their environment – so
during winter, this means slowing down in the colder months, deeply nourishing yourself,
and keeping warm and well rested in order to plant the seeds for renewed
vitality in the new year. As nature slows down and hibernates during the
winter, the process of new growth and regeneration for the spring has already
begun internally.
Meditation
Winter time is an excellent time for retrospection,
meditation and exploration of deeper issues. To do this, we need to slow down.
In fact, we are usually so busy that we are not even aware of how neurotic our
thoughts and actions are. When we slow down through meditation, relaxation, or
simply taking some time off, we may be overwhelmed by the recognition of how
fast and full our lives really are. If we can take the time to truly relax and
slow down, the winter season can provide a profound opportunity for internal
insight and deep introspection. This process may naturally give rise to “stuff”
that is stuck under the surface of our mundane activities; issues, thoughts or
patterns we may have been avoiding with our ongoing busy-ness. Simply allow
these issues to arise, unfold and slip away as you calm your mind with simple
meditation and breathing practices. Allowing this process to unfold during the
winter season can have a much different quality than the peeling process that
we engage in during our spring and fall cleanse. The end result may be similar
but different organ systems, emotions and patterns are involved. This level of
mind/heart medicine is an integral part of true integrative health and the
winter season is an excellent time to experience meditation’s holistic
benefits.
Organs
According to the principles of TCM, winter is associated
with the element of water and influences the health of the kidneys, bladder,
adrenal glands, bones (including bone marrow) and teeth. In TCM, the kidneys
are the primary source of vitality, energy and heat as well as vital essence.
Energy is drawn from this source during times of stress and anxiety or when the
body requires healing. During the coldness of winter, it is critical to
maintain healthy kidneys and adrenal glands through proper diet and
supplementation, good hydration, as well as energetic practices such as yoga
and Tai Chi, which help keep your core warm and well nourished.
Emotions
According to TCM, winter is inactive, cold and damp in
nature, relating to feelings such as fear and depression which tend to exert
more influence during this season. In Western medicine, many people are
diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a particular form of
depression/anxiety that occurs during the darker months primarily due to lack
of sunshine exposure. Women often experience this condition more than men and
it results in poor mood, lack of energy, irritability, weight gain due to
overeating and fatigue. In addition to supplementing with Vitamin D-3, I recommend
opening your curtains during the day to allow any sunlight to come in and
taking brisk walks (in the sunshine if possible) to improve circulation and
blood flow. Meditation practices which help to calm the mind and heart are also
extremely valuable during the winter season.
Warming, Nourishing
Foods
In icy winter months, people tend to exercise less, remain
more sedentary and crave calorie-dense comfort foods. It’s important however to
pay close attention to the amount and type of food you eat during this time, in
order to avoid unhealthy weight gain. According to TCM, it is also important to
avoid too many raw foods during winter because they tend to cool the body and
can deplete our digestive “fire” which is the ability to assimilate food
efficiently. I recommend eating warming foods, while cooking them longer and at
lower temperatures with less water. Emphasize soups and stews, root vegetables,
plenty of dark leafy greens, kidney and black beans, walnuts, black sesame
seeds, whole grains, and seaweeds. These specific foods help to fortify the
kidneys, uplift the emotions, nourish the body, keep you warm and help you to
conserve energy.
Supplements
Botanicals and nutrients which promote immune health during
the winter are important adjuncts for surviving cold and flu season. High
quality medicinal mushrooms are potent immune modulators, along with vitamin C,
zinc and vitamin D-3. Other powerful immune supplements include Modified
Citrus Pectin and a Tibetan
Herbal Formula with over 3 decades of clinical research. Purified Honokiol
(magnolia bark extract) can help with mood support and a comprehensive
digestive formula can keep digestion strong and support nutrient absorption for
optimal nourishment. Other herbs emphasized by TCM in the winter include
tonifying root herbs, for their warming, grounding and strengthening
properties.
Healing Practices
People are more susceptible to colds and flu during the
winter season, as the cold weather challenges the immune system. The main
treatment modalities in TCM are acupuncture and moxabustion (the burning of
Moxa herb, mugwort, around specific acupuncture points), Qi Gong (precise
exercises to enhance the flow of vital energy), specific dietary
recommendations, as well an extensive pharmacopeia of herbal medicine. All of
these therapies have great value during the winter, as they help to relieve
stagnant energy caused by a lack of activity and the cold weather.
Practitioners of TCM also advise resting as much as possible during the winter,
which helps replenish the kidneys and restore essential energy. Getting to bed
early and rising after the sun has risen will help you preserve your warmth and
vitality.
Traditional Chinese Medicine reflects an innate connection
to nature with each season presenting opportunities for transformation, healing
and growth. The winter season allows for deeper introspection and nourishment,
so that our seeds and intentions can develop internally before they blossom
into the spring. So stay warm, hydrated and nourished, and give yourself the
extra time and space to slow down, rest and meditate in this profound season of
stillness. For more valuable tips to help you stay healthy this winter and
beyond, visit www.dreliaz.org.Â
Comments