Winter Wellness: How to Recenter This Season
While the pandemic continues to be a threat and many of us are still feeling trapped indoors, we do have the opportunity to take this time to turn inward and recenter.
In eastern medicine, each season is associated with an element, an emotion, a bodily organ, a flavor and a color.
Let’s talk about winter.
The Importance of the Kidney
The organs associated with winter are the kidney and bladder. Their main function is to regulate water metabolism and maintain homeostasis, which is a constant dynamic rebalancing. As we age, we lose water and our bodies dry, bones become brittle, skin loses elasticity, and the mind becomes inflexible. Chinese medicine gives us many tools to augment the water inside of us and slow the progression of its loss.
The kidney is a very important organ with many functions, including boosting other organs when they’re low on energy. Everything in the body is connected. The ears are the sensory organ of the kidneys. If ear issues arise – such as tinnitus or frequent ear infections – it’s a sign that the kidney reserves are low. The kidneys are also associated with the bones, and issues such as osteoporosis, dental and other developmental issues may arise if kidneys are weakened.
The flavour of the kidney is salty, so if you’re craving something salty, tune in to your kidneys.
How We Can Stimulate Kidney Energy
Stay on your feet! There are many ways to stimulate your kidney energy through actions and food. Stomping your feet for 5 minutes a day stimulates the kidney channel that runs through your heels to the sole of your feet. You can also massage your ears to connect energetically to your kidneys. You can also try acupressure on the point in the exact center of the base of the sole of the foot. The color of winter is black, incorporating black sesame seeds, black beans, as well as seaweed, miso, bone broth and goji berries, are a great way to support your kidneys.
The Role of Fear and Water
In Chinese philosophy, the water element is associated with winter. The property of water is unique: Shapeless, yet mutable. Water change forms from solid to liquid to vapor. It can break down anything overtime, and will find the path of least resistance.
The emotion associated with winter is fear. If water is out of balance, fear can become an obstacle to movement and fluidity. This can manifest as a feeling of energy trapped in your chest – anxiety, lack of energy, or the lack of a grounded feeling. Physiologically, fear can induce a sympathetic nervous system response of rapid heart rate, sweat, tensing of muscles, or breath-holding.
How to Stay Well in the Winter
During winter, nature is at rest because it’s cold outside, and in turn it is a time of replenishment, hibernation and recharging. During this time, it’s important to nourish ourselves inwardly. Keep a journal, practice self-acceptance, keep warm with a scarf around your neck so wind pathogens don’t enter while outside. You also want to nourish yourself with adequate water and warming foods, such as root veggies, whole grains, proteins, nuts and beans.
Nourish the kidneys with gentle movements and exercises. Tai Chi and Qi Gong are great ways to increase blood flow, remove toxins and improve kidney function. Click here for a 5-minute Beginner Qi Gong exercise.
Keep listening to your body, and support your kidney energy to get ready for spring!