Winter is the time when the cold, wet and rainy conditions settle onto life and sometimes into ourselves. We can feel mellow and sluggish with little to no motivation to achieve our life’s goals. Contrary to popular beliefs Winter is a great time to recharge the bodies batteries and regenerate vital energy (or Qi) to help you look, feel and live better. In Chinese culture Winter is associated with the Yin, in opposition to Summer which as Yang. Yin is cold, dark, slow and inward energy. It is the season of hiding. This means rest, reflection, conservation and storage.
Ancient Chinese Culture believes we should live our lives in harmony with the seasons. This allows our body to be in tune with the environment instead of fighting against it. Winter is associated with the Water element, involving the kidneys, bladder and adrenal glands. All energy or Qi is stored in the kidneys, with Winter being a perfect time to rest and restore the body’s supply.
There are things you can do at home to help boost your Yin-Qi levels – going to bed early and staying there until the sun rises, eating warming hearty soups and connecting with your inner self via meditation and journal writing. You should avoid cold and seek warmth, and avoid persperation where possible to prevent your Qi from exhaustion. These practices are ways of preserving your health in Winter.
Your TCM Practitioner can also help by providing Winter-specific acupuncture which helps to nurture and nourish your kidneys Qi. This treatment will help your body prevent illness and promote healing, and regenerate your vitality stores for the coming months.
Foods to Eat to Boost Your Health in Winter
There are many important foods that help revitalise the Qi and improve kidney health during Winter. Foods that naturally grow during winter including root vegetables, winter greens, apples and pears are all in abundance and improve your health. Kidney-specific foods include black beans, black sesame seeds, dark leafy vegetables and soups cooked with bones. Chestnuts and walnuts are also very good at increasing Kidney Qi. Drinking plenty of room temperature water will also help cleanse and nourish the kidneys. These foods will nourish and warm the kidneys from the inside out.
Winter Specific Foods
- Carrots, squash, root vegetables, winter greens, potatoes, asparagus, cucumber and celery
- Soups with bones, lamb and chicken
- Nuts and seeds: Black sesame, flax, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, chestnuts and walnuts
- Black and blue foods (specific to Kidney Qi) including black kidney beans, blueberries, blackberries and mulberries
Foods should be cooked long and slow with minimal water to allow the foods to absorb heat and thus warm the body.
Winter Activities
Winter provides the perfect opportunity for turning inwards – reflecting on the seasons past, looking inside oneself for solace and feeding our mental and physical well-being. Meditation and journal writing are both excellent ways to nourish the soul. Going to bed early and staying in bed later also help revitalise energy levels. Being in tune with how your body feels and what it needs are both important in increasing your Winter Yin, and reducing the Summer Yang. For some people this means more time indoors and resting, whilst for others getting out in the cooler weather and being active is best.
Winter Qi levels and acupuncture – they belong together!