Tips for Winter Rejuvenation through Acupuncture Theory
Winter is the element of Water, a time of diving deep into introspection and stillness. Understanding what your body, mind, and spirit need during Winter will encourage health and balance. Chinese Medicine's five elements include Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood, corresponding to organs, seasons, climate, color, emotions, smells, sounds, and tastes. The Five Element theory helps us to align our mind, body, and spirit to the natural circadian rhythms for optimal health.
As the most "Yin" time of year, Winter represents energy reserves moving deep into the body. According to Chinese Medicine, Winter is the season of the Water Element, which correlates to the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder meridians, the color black, the taste of salty, and the emotion of fear. The energy of Winter is deliberate, profound, and reflective; it is a time for rest, restoration, and reflection. Even if you live in an area warmer than the rest of the country, it is time to conserve fuel. The days are colder and darker, which invites a slower pace and self-reflection. Winter season permits us to practice stillness and conservation, which then prepares us for the bursting energetics of Spring time.
The Water Element
Organ - Kidney/Urinary Bladder
Season - Winter
Color - Black
Flavor - Salty
Emotion - Fear
Climate - Cold
Sensory Organ - Ears
Tissue - Bones
Direction - North
Kidney Channel
The Kidney meridian regulates fluids and stores vital essences established at conception and determined by what has been passed down from our parents. This vital essence, called 'Jing' in Chinese Medicine, is the impetus for bone marrow and why the Kidney channel also governs the bones. When the Kidney channel is out of balance, we have a sore back and knees and may develop osteoarthritis.
Fear and Anxiety
The Kidney channel is associated with the emotion of fear and the virtue of willpower. When the Kidney channel is deficient, we may have a higher amount of anxiety and fear that wreak havoc on our nervous system. Symptoms manifest as what we call "running piglet Qi," as nervous energy flutters up to the Heart causing palpitations, disrupted sleep, and eventually, panic attacks.
We can apply these five elements theories to support the body better and align with nature's cycle. Below are a few wellness tips to strengthen your health during the Winter season.
Tips for Winter Rejuvenation
Practice "Rest"
Hard to do these days. I know. However, it is crucial to slow down this time of year and allow deep restoration in the mind, body, and spirit. We witness this in nature. Animals and insects hibernate, and trees lose their leaves and shift all their vitality into the deep reserves of the roots.
Go to sleep earlier and wake up later.
Spend your weekends with an empty schedule rather than running around town with an extensive "to-do" list. Less is more right now.
Hold off on the excessive exercises and find nurture and comfort in 'quieter' movements such as gentle Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and walking in nature.
Meditate for emotional health. Insight Timer App offers great guided and free meditations to help with the art of stillness and introspection.
Winter Nutrition
Add salty and black foods to give the Water Element it needs for restoration: The color of the Water element is black, and the taste is salty:
Black sesame seeds
Black beans
nuts, seeds
darker root veggies
mushrooms
bone broths
soups
stews
fish
seaweed
Cook all your meals - avoid any raw foods, salads, or smoothies!
Add warming spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, garlic, and onion.
And remember hydration! Drink extra water with electrolytes to stay hydrated.
Acupuncture
Sometimes your acupuncturist may include additional therapies such as Moxa.
Moxibustion is a therapeutic herb called mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) that is burned near the skin's surface to warm the area, decrease pain, improve circulation and dispel stagnation in the body. Moxa penetrates to the level of infrared wavelength, which provides healing at a cellular level.
Ask about Moxa at your next acupuncture visit as it is a great supplement to the colder winter days.
Stay warm, Sarasota!
Dr. Jen