Winter weather is upon us. Cold drafts and the winter freeze can creep into our bodies wrecking havoc on our muscles and joints. From a Chinese medicine perspective, drafts are also a vehicle for external pathogens to enter the body, leading to colds, coughs, and a weakened immune system. Keep these drafts and chill at bay by dressing appropriately and winterizing your home.
Scarves are essential this time of year, keeping cold air from attacking your neck and shoulders. Long jackets and long shirts can help block cold air from your lower back. A chill to the neck and back can cause the muscles to tighten, leading to acute back pain and muscle spasms, also making the back more suseptable to injury. Tight muscles make slip-and-falls even more hazardous as your flexibility is inhibited so your bones and muscles can absorb less shock.
A poorly insulated living space can make winter all the more uncomfortable. Drafty bedroom windows not only affect the overall quality of sleep and overall immune function, they can also lead to a rude and achy awakening in the morning. Ensure windows are properly insulated and winterized: air conditioners removed, foam taped around any cracks and crevices that allow drafts to enter, and thicker curtains installed as a warm, protective layer. Block drafts that come under doors with a towel or “draft snake.”
Enjoy a more comfortable and healthier winter. Be smart, dress appropriately, and make your home a little less vulnerable to drafts with some easy steps.
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.
