Traditional,Chinese,Medicine,W health Traditional Chinese Medicine Winter Health Tips for the New

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Happy New Year! The holiday excitement is over and now wecan move into the stillness of the winter season. It’s a perfect time to becomemore introspective, set new goals, and nourish your entire being according tothe principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is rooted in thephilosophy that people should live in harmony with their environment – soduring winter, this means slowing down in the colder months, deeply nourishing yourself,and keeping warm and well rested in order to plant the seeds for renewedvitality in the new year. As nature slows down and hibernates during thewinter, the process of new growth and regeneration for the spring has alreadybegun internally.MeditationWinter time is an excellent time for retrospection,meditation and exploration of deeper issues. To do this, we need to slow down.In fact, we are usually so busy that we are not even aware of how neurotic ourthoughts and actions are. When we slow down through meditation, relaxation, orsimply taking some time off, we may be overwhelmed by the recognition of howfast and full our lives really are. If we can take the time to truly relax andslow down, the winter season can provide a profound opportunity for internalinsight and deep introspection. This process may naturally give rise to “stuff”that is stuck under the surface of our mundane activities; issues, thoughts orpatterns we may have been avoiding with our ongoing busy-ness. Simply allowthese issues to arise, unfold and slip away as you calm your mind with simplemeditation and breathing practices. Allowing this process to unfold during thewinter season can have a much different quality than the peeling process thatwe engage in during our spring and fall cleanse. The end result may be similarbut different organ systems, emotions and patterns are involved. This level ofmind/heart medicine is an integral part of true integrative health and thewinter season is an excellent time to experience meditation’s holisticbenefits.OrgansAccording to the principles of TCM, winter is associatedwith the element of water and influences the health of the kidneys, bladder,adrenal glands, bones (including bone marrow) and teeth. In TCM, the kidneysare the primary source of vitality, energy and heat as well as vital essence.Energy is drawn from this source during times of stress and anxiety or when thebody requires healing. During the coldness of winter, it is critical tomaintain healthy kidneys and adrenal glands through proper diet andsupplementation, good hydration, as well as energetic practices such as yogaand Tai Chi, which help keep your core warm and well nourished.EmotionsAccording to TCM, winter is inactive, cold and damp innature, relating to feelings such as fear and depression which tend to exertmore influence during this season. In Western medicine, many people arediagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a particular form ofdepression/anxiety that occurs during the darker months primarily due to lackof sunshine exposure. Women often experience this condition more than men andit results in poor mood, lack of energy, irritability, weight gain due toovereating and fatigue. In addition to supplementing with Vitamin D-3, I recommendopening your curtains during the day to allow any sunlight to come in andtaking brisk walks (in the sunshine if possible) to improve circulation andblood flow. Meditation practices which help to calm the mind and heart are alsoextremely valuable during the winter season.Warming, NourishingFoodsIn icy winter months, people tend to exercise less, remainmore sedentary and crave calorie-dense comfort foods. It’s important however topay close attention to the amount and type of food you eat during this time, inorder to avoid unhealthy weight gain. According to TCM, it is also important toavoid too many raw foods during winter because they tend to cool the body andcan deplete our digestive “fire” which is the ability to assimilate foodefficiently. I recommend eating warming foods, while cooking them longer and atlower temperatures with less water. Emphasize soups and stews, root vegetables,plenty of dark leafy greens, kidney and black beans, walnuts, black sesameseeds, whole grains, and seaweeds. These specific foods help to fortify thekidneys, uplift the emotions, nourish the body, keep you warm and help you toconserve energy.SupplementsBotanicals and nutrients which promote immune health duringthe winter are important adjuncts for surviving cold and flu season. Highquality medicinal mushrooms are potent immune modulators, along with vitamin C,zinc and vitamin D-3. Other powerful immune supplements include ModifiedCitrus Pectin and a TibetanHerbal Formula with over 3 decades of clinical research. Purified Honokiol(magnolia bark extract) can help with mood support and a comprehensivedigestive formula can keep digestion strong and support nutrient absorption foroptimal nourishment. Other herbs emphasized by TCM in the winter includetonifying root herbs, for their warming, grounding and strengtheningproperties.Healing PracticesPeople are more susceptible to colds and flu during thewinter season, as the cold weather challenges the immune system. The maintreatment modalities in TCM are acupuncture and moxabustion (the burning ofMoxa herb, mugwort, around specific acupuncture points), Qi Gong (preciseexercises to enhance the flow of vital energy), specific dietaryrecommendations, as well an extensive pharmacopeia of herbal medicine. All ofthese therapies have great value during the winter, as they help to relievestagnant energy caused by a lack of activity and the cold weather.Practitioners of TCM also advise resting as much as possible during the winter,which helps replenish the kidneys and restore essential energy. Getting to bedearly and rising after the sun has risen will help you preserve your warmth andvitality.Traditional Chinese Medicine reflects an innate connectionto nature with each season presenting opportunities for transformation, healingand growth. The winter season allows for deeper introspection and nourishment,so that our seeds and intentions can develop internally before they blossominto the spring. So stay warm, hydrated and nourished, and give yourself theextra time and space to slow down, rest and meditate in this profound season ofstillness. For more valuable tips to help you stay healthy this winter andbeyond, visit www.dreliaz.org.