Winter can be tricky - one the one hand it’s sooo great to cosy up with blankets and tea and slow down, but those Winter blues (and SAD) can be real! Keep reading for some ways to beat the down feelings and create wellness in this change of season.
Movement
You knew this one was going to be in included, right? And of course while movement is always a good idea (because it helps improve mood, boost energy levels, and support physical health) it’s important to flow with the seasons, and adjust your intensity levels and styles if your body calls for it. Oh, and staying active in Winter can also work wonders for your immunity.
Hydration
Ever been caught out with this one? We know staying hydrated is important for overall health, but it can be especially important during winter when we a) aren’t as hot so don’t drink as much, and b) spend lots of time with indoor heating which can cause dehydration! Warm teas and room temperature water… here we come!
Immune support
Cold & flu season isn’t anything new - and we know that supporting your immune system is key. Eating a diet rich in immune-supportive nutrients (vitamin C and zinc), getting enough sleep, and dropping by to get some seasonal Chinese Medicine herbs can all help keep you healthy.
Seasonal foods
Eating with the seasons and being in the flow with nature is big in Chinese Medicine. It’s a powerful way to support overall health and wellbeing, and Winter is the best time for pulling out the slow cooker and feasting on yum (& nourishing!) foods like root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots), whole grains (quinoa), legumes (black beans) and warming spices like cinnamon and ginger. Winter related to the Water element in CM (the Kidney and Bladder meridians).
Meditation for Immune Function
There are several therapies that may help boost and support immune function in the cooler months - such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, but did you know that meditation - by reducing stress and anxiety - may reduce inflammation and improve immune function?
Wear the Scarf!
You might be familiar with the absolute love of CM practitioners for their scarves - this is because we’re all about helping the body avoid being struck by external pathogens (bugs! colds! flus!). Acupuncturists will tell you that the neck is considered to be an important gateway for the flow of Qi and blood in the body - and must be protected at all costs. Hence the scarf. Give it a go this Winter and see if you notice any changes! ❄️
All of this kind of makes me want to get into the Winter flow! Hit me up with any great tips or questions, and rug up, friends!
Need a seasonal Winter acupuncture treatment?
Sources:
- Loprinzi, P. D., & Loenneke, J. P. (2021). Exercise and immunity: A review of the current evidence. Current opinion in physiology, 19, 54-60. doi: 10.1016/j.cophys.2021.04.005
- Li, J. & Yu, X. (2018). Seasonal Chinese Medicine. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
- Hemilä, H. & Chalker, E. (2013). Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1):CD000980. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4.
- Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books.
- Wu, J. (2017). Acupuncture for immune-mediated disorders. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1010, 111-130.
- Black, D. S., Slavich, G. M., & Sánchez, B. (2016). Mindfulness meditation and the immune system: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1373(1), 13-24.