Winter and Water
Winter, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a season of introspection, conservation, and restoration. This is the season of the water element. Living In harmony with nature at this time of year is essential for maintaining overall well-being throughout the year. If you start the cycle off without enough energy there will be knock-on effects in every season.
TCM places great emphasis on adapting our lifestyles, including dietary habits, emotions, exercise routines, and more, to the unique characteristics of each season. In this blog post, we'll explore how to align ourselves with the principles of TCM during the winter season for optimal health and balance.
Dietary Advice
In TCM, winter is associated with the Water element and the Kidneys. The kidneys are the store-house for our energy, so nourishing them now provides the foundation for our energy throughout the year. Nourishing the Kidneys should be a priority this season, so include warming, nourishing foods in your diet, such as:
Seasonal Winter Foods:
Root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, turnip, parsnip)
Winter squashes (butternut, acorn)
Dark leafy greens (kale, collard greens, broccoli)
Nuts and seeds (especially walnuts and black sesame seeds)
Kidney-Nourishing Foods:
Black beans
Kidney beans
Seaweed
Bone broth
Foods rich in essential fatty acids (salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds, olive oil, avocado)
Naturally salty foods
Things to Avoid:
Cold and raw foods: the weather is already cold so our body is working hard to bring our internal temperature up to a nice simmering stove pot. It is very harmful to our digestion to add cold and icy things into our system at this time of year. Instead try soups, stews and hot teas.
Excessive intake of cooling beverages: Opt for warm teas and avoid excessive consumption of cold drinks. Tea’s such as ginger, turmeric and cinnamon have a lovely warming and circulatory effect so take this opportunity to help the body rather than work against it!
Lifestyle Advice
Our natural tendency is to have less energy available in the winter, think of the animals in hibernation, conserving their energy, resting, eating and waiting for the outside world to be reborn in spring.
If you are lacking the energy to set out on your new year goals, do not worry! It is not the time of year to be bursting forth with new ambition and high energy. Take the winter to build up your energy stores so when spring comes you are ready!
Rest and Rejuvenate: Winter is a time for rest and conservation. Ensure you get adequate sleep to support the body's natural healing processes. It is dark for longer so listen to your body’s rhythm and desire to stay in and stay warm in the dark evenings. Light some candles and cosy up.
Stay Warm: Dress in layers to protect yourself from the cold. TCM believes that exposing the body to extreme cold can lead to the invasion of external pathogens. The term ‘catch a cold’ is based on this experience – if you’ve ever felt a cold gust of wind travel in a shiver down your spine then you will know what we mean. The feet represent the kidneys so keep them nice and warm with fluffy socks and a hot bath if you can.
Conserve Energy: Avoid overexertion - now is not the time to be crushing it at the gym, instead you can approach your healthy goals by cooking more nourishing meals, getting your home in order and plans in place that will help you feel ready to spring forth in spring!
The Emotions
Emotional Balance: The emotion associated with winter is fear and sadness. You may feel more of these emotions surfacing at this time of year. Embrace some practices that foster a positive emotional state to help maintain balance and work with the body at this time:
Reflection: Winter is the time of the water element, and as such feelings of reflection naturally arise in the body. It is also a reflective time as the year comes to an end and we evaluate the past year and what we want for the future. This is.a good time to work through some deeper thoughts about direction in life, purpose, any unresolved and hidden emotions you may have pushed down for another time.
Managing Sadness: Winter's introspective nature may bring about feelings of sadness. The water element can promote deep thought, as the saying goes ‘still waters run deep’. This can be productive, but when in excess can lead to feelings of sadness and lack of connection, lost too deep in the depths of the water. To combat this, try engaging in activities that bring joy and connection with loved ones, and engage in creative activities, the fire element will bring balance back to the water.
The best ways to move your body this season:
Gentle Movement: Engage in gentle exercises like yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong. These practices help promote the flow of Qi and blood without putting excessive stress on the body. Yin Yoga is especially good at this most Yin time of year.
Indoor Workouts: If outdoor activities are limited due to weather conditions, opt for indoor exercises such as stretching, bodyweight exercises, or even dancing to keep the body active. Dance or anything that is cardio and joyful will be great for balancing the depths of the water with the joy of the fire element.
Summary
Living in harmony with the seasons, especially winter, is a foundational principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine. By embracing the wisdom of TCM, you can cultivate a lifestyle that not only supports physical health but also nurtures emotional well-being. Remember, winter is a season of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation — a time to nourish the body and soul in preparation for the vitality of spring. If you can respect these principles at this time of year, the rewards will last you all year long.
How to Book an Appointment
If you are interested in having some acupuncture to help work through some fear, sadness, chronic fatigue, depression, insomnia, urinary or back issues, or any other symptom arising for you this season, or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us. If you feel acupuncture is right for you, you can book your appointment now.
The information in this website is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment, and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.