Brace yourself! Winter is coming , this is the time of year when we reflect on our health, replenish our energy, and conserve our strength. It is recommended and also a great idea to increase your acupuncture treatments taken regularly. As the temperature begins to drop, in order to fight off colds and help boost immunity there are several acupuncture points that help. It's believed that we as human beings should be living in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment. For many Winter is known to be their favorite season. The weather is gets chilly, and things start to slow down as preparations for Christmas and New Year begin to bloom. But on the other hand, many others do not fancy winter as much. Thanks to the cold and darkness of winter, we are urged to slow down, people get sick, some end up shoveling snow, and others do not enjoy as the skies darken early. Sadly this leads those to seasonal depressions.
Herbal Medicine & a Healthy Season
Did you know that there are two meridians that in a harmonious way work to control the immune system from the inside and outside of your body? It is known that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter is the season associated with the Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Adrenal Glands. The Kidney energy is said to be responsible for having a healthy set of teeth, bones, and bone marrow? The Kidney was thought to rule over the skeletal structure and function and, consequently, over intelligence, reason, perception, and memory.
Kidneys & the Urinary Bladder: Keeping Healthy and Joyful Winter
Lets start of by saying that the kidneys have something called vital yin. Also, cooling and lubricating. This function assures that all the structures within the body and mind are lubricated and misted. This process is known to keep the body and mind flexible and preventing it from excessive friction building up. The kidneys are known to be and considered the source of all energy within the body. They store all of the reserve Qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully. It's recommended during the winter season to nurture and nourish our kidney Qi (Highly Important).
Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter – rest, reflection, conservation, and storage.
Urinary Bladder (Yang Organ)
The second organ known to be associated with Water non other than the Urinary Bladder. In Traditional Oriental Medicine they compare the Urinary Bladder to a reservoir where the waters of the body collect. Once we empty our reserves, or if the bladder is leaking, acupuncture and herbal remedies can be used to revitalize the organ functions, and attention to diet, exercise, and meditation can help restore its healthy functions.
Whats Recommended to Eat During Fall
During winter season, many people tend to reduce their activity. If you find yourself in this situation, it's wise for you to reduce the amount of food you eat, and avoid gaining weight unnecessarily. In addition, it is recommended to avoid raw foods during the winter as much as possible, these are known to cool the body. The principle of harmony between what we eat, and the season is based on hundreds of years of practical experience. Foods become part of the body after being consumed internally and the weather and environment tend to influence us externally. Eating natural foods that grow in season are basically what our bodies are designed for and prefer. There are many foods that are beneficial for us to eat during the winter.
Foods, that specifically nourish and warm the kidneys are:
Soups and stews (broths cooked with bones, lamb chicken)
Root vegetables
Beans (Black beans, kidney beans)
Miso and seaweed
Garlic and ginger
So remember that eating warm roasted nuts, hearty soups and whole grains, help maintain the body's core warm and help's us keep ourselves nourished.
Remember it like : SRSE Sleep early, Rest well, Stay warm
Expend a minimum quantity of energy.
How to keep Yourself Healthy this Winter
There are some seasonal changes that are known to affect the body's environment. It's known that stress, frustration, and unresolved anger are known to work together to throw your immune system off. This allows pathogens to affect your body. Along with the wind, rain, and snow comes the colds, flu, aches, and pains. So this winter take time to listen and recharge. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you, make sure you take time to replenish your reserves, and remember you will be needing these during the surges of spring.
Wash your hands regularly! it's been shown by studies that one of the main reasons why we catch colds and flu in the winter season is that spend most of the time indoors. In addition, in a closer proximity to others in cold weather. You can protect yourself by washing your hands regularly and trying not to touch your face.
Reminder! Get plenty of sleep and reduce that stress. Find a way to relax and release stress on a daily basis. Some recommended methods include yoga, meditation, acupuncture, cupping, simple relaxation therapy, or whatever method you use to release the stress and pressures of modern life. and keep warm.
Nurture Yourself Inwardly and nourish yourself well! Eat warm food and drink lots of water. Winter is known to suck the moisture out of the human body.
It is extremely important to hydrate yourself by drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of fresh water daily.
Eat warm foods such as mentioned before.
Including root vegetables, whole grains, and small amounts of meat or fish(protein). If you are a vegetarian, eat more beans, nuts, and tempeh.