Burrr… it is getting chilly outside. It’s time to prepare for the cooler weather to come. Chinese medicine has a focused understanding of how the seasons affect our bodies and believes that we should live in harmony with the changing cycles of the natural environment. Along with the lower temperature comes shorter days and earlier nights. This cold and darkness encourages our bodies to slow down, rest, replenish, and conserve our strength in preparation for the new energy of spring. But first we have to get through the long, dark winter.
Adjusting to the cooler weather also means adjusting our food choices. An emphasis on warmer foods during this time promotes better health and healing. The best food options include soups and stews, root vegetables, beans, miso, seaweed, garlic, and ginger. Don’t forget to add in those roasted pumpkin seeds this year!
Get enough sleep by getting to bed early, keep warm by wearing socks, gloves, and scarves to protect your extremities, and find time to rest and relax. Wash your hands regularly (the subway is a great way to come in contact with lots of extra germs and there is still no better prevention than old-fashioned soap & water!), and include restorative yoga, meditation, and tai chi in your exercise regime this time of the year. Also add an acupuncture tune-up or some regular acupuncture sessions to help protect your body from the assaults of germs and chills if you are prone to getting sick.
Taking the right care of your body can make this season beautiful, cozy, and enriching!
Contributor:
Acupuncturist, herbalist, Maya abdominal practitioner, and reflexologist Christina Morris is the founder of Element Natural Healing Arts. Writing about health and wellness gives her an outlet to express her care and concern for her beloved community. She believes everyone can achieve better health and happiness–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
