SEASONAL ROUTINES
Seasonal routines are a vital cornerstone of health, year around. Balancing the nature of your local climate with lifestyle choices that offset the potential for seasonally-induced imbalances is one of the simplest ways that you can protect your well-being.
Winter is Yin in nature; it is inactive, cold, and damp in contrast to the Summer which is yang in nature; active, hot and dry. So of course our habits and diet must change accordingly. In terms of five elements, Winter is ruled by the water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands. The kidneys are considered the source of all energy (Qi) within the body. There is a good reason why many animals slow right down, or even hibernate, in Winter - their metabolic rate, breathing and heart rates decrease in order to conserve energy and survive adverse weather conditions. And Winter is the time for us to have our own form of hibernation too, to take the time to go inwards, to work with the passive nature and yielding energy of yin as we build up our defences and regain our strength in preparation for the coming year and the surges of energy that Spring will call for.
What happens during this period lays the seed for the following year.
It is the perfect time for us to embrace the stillness, calmness and introspection, and to take the opportunity for some self-reflection, reconnecting with our inner being as we set our intentions for the start of the new cycle.
Taking Care of our Kidneys
While most of us are taught to fear the sun, moderate sun exposure is a must. As the days grow shorter and cooler and we’re less likely to be outside, we are getting dramatically less day-to-day sun, which can affect our health and our mood.
Not only is sun important for the production of vitamin D, an essential nutrient that helps to fight inflammation and protect us from cancer, research has found that exposure to the sun in appropriate amounts offers numerous other health benefits.
These include enhancing the mood and boosting energy levels through the release of endorphins, treating skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis, relieving the pain of fibromyalgia and inducing nitric oxide, which helps to protect the skin against UV damage as well as promoting wound healing and offering cardiovascular protection.
Even during the winter, it’s important to get outdoors. Just ten minutes a day will give your body the message to make more vitamin D, and it’s likely to boost your mood too.
Good circulation is the foundation of our health. Efficient circulation keeps the cells of the immune system moving, so that they can work effectively. It also encourages lymphatic drainage, which clears toxic waste. Therefore, exercise is one of the best ways to support optimal physical and mental health through the winter months. Intense exercise consumes energy that we should be conserving during winter.
Practice slower, less intensive exercise routines that need less expenditure of energy. During exercise aim to only break a very mild sweat, if at all, to help conserve your energy. Activities such as gentle yoga, Tai Chi and walking are suitable for this time of year
Incorporate some miso soup, seaweed and bone broth into your diet. Ensure adequate water intake. Make sure you are drinking high quality, filtered water. Avoid excess salt in your diet. Try and include plenty of black vegetables and fruits in your diet. Keep produce local and seasonal.
Slow down.....In general, you’ll want to cultivate a light heart and a sharp sense of purpose this winter in order to counter the cold, grey weather and the seasonal tendency toward melancholy and loneliness. Invite warmth into your mind, body, and relationships, and create frequent opportunities for fun and laughter. Try to avoid rushing. Instead, make a concerted effort to embrace a slower, more relaxed pace through the winter months. This is a great time to engage in meaningful relationships and to socialise, but balance your social self with some quiet time, reflection, and stillness. After all, the slow, heavy qualities of the winter months offer a rare opportunity to retreat and check in with ourselves.
Our bodies benefit from maintaining a predictable routine but will also, benefit from keeping things fresh and a bit unpredictable, so do your best to strike an appropriate balance for yourself. Certain parts of your day—like the times that you rise, work, eat, and sleep—can easily be consistent from one day to the next, while other times of day can provide for some variation and spontaneity. Start your day with a short but invigorating morning routine. It is generally appropriate to sleep a little later in the winter, but you will feel fresher and more motivated if you are up by about 7 a.m
Important practices to nourish the Water element/energy for winter health include:
Drive and will, belong to the Water element. Winter is a great time to develop and plant the seed of your intentions. This prepares the soil as you enter the growth energy of spring, where you bring actions to your plans.
It is the time to nurture yourself and reflect on your inner ideas of what you desire for your life. Avoiding entertainment that is overly exciting/dramatic helps your mind to rest and internalise. Instead, seek entertainment that stimulates reflection and contemplation. Curl up beside the fire with a good book or podcast.
Meditation is a great way to slow your mental and emotional system. Focusing inwards reflects the seasonal inward movement of your Yang Qi. A fifteen minutes daily practice can have profound effects throughout your day. All it requires is finding a quiet space and concentrating on your breath.
Keeping warm is important, cover up and avoid exposure to the cold. In particular, covering up the lower back and neck area when outside. Scarves, beanies, gloves, jumpers and no midriff-baring tops are the way for winter.
Keep your feet warm as the sole of your foot is where the Kidney meridian begins. It is important to not walk barefoot on cold floors, to avoid cold entering into the body.
A hot water footbath before bed, with Epsom salt added, is great to help keep warm and nourish your Water energy. This draws heat away from your head and body. This helps to internalize your thoughts, contributing to a good nights sleep. It cools your body core, inducing melatonin production, which makes us feel sleepy.
GET YOUR SEASONAL TUNE UP
A seasonal tune up works in much the same way as getting your car serviced, motorists are advised to regularly check the oil and water levels, give the tyres a once over and top up the antifreeze in order to keep their cars running efficiently.
At certain periods of the year, the body can have difficulty adapting to change and can tire or deplete easily, leaving it more vulnerable to disease. Traditional Chinese medicine recognises this and uses acupuncture to smooth the transition. Acupuncture is known to strengthen your immunity. It not only treats pain but it improves digestion and elimination, balances emotions, strengthens your lungs and strengthens your body’s defenses to get you winter ready.
