STAY HEALTHY DURING WINTER

Night is the time when we rest to restore our strength for the next morning, and a similar pattern exists in the year: winter represents the time when we rest to restore the life force we need to blossom forth in the spring.  To do this effectively we need take the following steps:

Step 1:
 
Get Acupuncture.

• Make an appointment to see your acupuncturist, and allow the natural wisdom found in ancient medicine to help strengthen your system for winter and harmonize it with the increasing Yin energy.

 
Step 2:
 
Eat Right.

• Eat Roots.  During the winter, plants pull resources down out of the leaves and branches and concentrate them into the roots (this all comes back to the concept of RE-storing energy for the next day, or the next year mentioned in the first paragraph).  By winter, many roots are full of nutrients, and if you have access to roots like carrots, turnips, potatoes, etc. from local farms or a farmer’s market, you can take advantage of that stored energy.  This is the best time of year to have a delicious root stew on a cold night.
• Eat foods that are warm, moist and nourishing.  These will help protect the Yang Qi during the cold of winter, and nourish the Yin.  Soups, stews, baked or boiled roots, squashes, slow cooked legumes, and whole grains are all good choices during this season.

 
Step 3
 
Use the following tips to further harmonize with the season.

• Go inward.  Much of life slows to a restful pace (or even a full stop!) during winter months: plants, trees, and animals alike pull their energy inward and conserve.  You can do the same by simplifying your life and taking up activities like meditation, qi gong and tai chi that generate inner resources.
• Sleep in accordance with the sun.  Just as it sets earlier and rises later, you too should consider going to bed earlier and sleeping longer.  Although not everyone has the luxury of adding time to sleep, we can all improve sleep quality by turning lights down one hour before bedtime, and keeping our rooms as dark as possible while we sleep.
• Stay warm, and more important block the cold from entering specific channels of energy by wearing a scarf and a hat.  It’s amazing how much warmer we feel when we cover the head and neck.
• Work out, but do it at a less intense pace.  Exercise helps generate Yang Qi, which is at a low during the winter months, however, too much may actually deplete you.  Remember the goal is to conserve and restore.
• Get More Light.  Avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a kind of depressive mood disorder which is brought about by the decreasing light and activity of the season.  If you find yourself feeling down, then get outside in the sunlight, and work indoors near a window that allows exposure to natural light.

May All Beings Be Happy and Well,

Craig Swogger, L.Ac.