Happy New Year! With the holidays coming to a close, let’s talk about Winter. The darkness of winter is is a time of recharging. I give you permission to slow down. Your body is craving it!
You’re going to start hearing messaging about about New Year about detoxes and diets to lose the holiday weight – IGNORE THEM. January is a time to continue charging those batteries. Instead of weight loss, focus on NOURISHMENT and REST.
You might notice that you are a little more lethargic during winter. You might feel a little more internal too. Lean into it. This is the time plants deepen their roots. They are storing their energy. Go to bed earlier than you normally would. Sleep more. Naps are ok too!
The burnout and stress of this year is likely catching up with you. Winter is ruled by the element Water and the organ the Kidney. The emotion associated the Kidney is fear. Since this year has been one anxiety riddled year, you might be tired and wired rather than just panicked.
Salty flavors support the Kidney. I’m not telling you to over salt your food! Foods that are naturally salty in flavor are seaweeds, seafood, barley (avoid if GF), duck, pork, and miso. Winter is also a time where the body craves bitter foods. Bitter foods include root vegetables, including dandelion and burdock, endive, black tea, walnuts, and black sesame seeds.
Since salty and bitter foods have a cooling nature, balance these with warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, curry, and chili pepper. Don’t over spicy, this can dry up inner fluids. Its all about balance.
We tend to eat a little less during the winter but these foods are nutrient dense. Sweet potatoes are a favorite nourishing winter time food in China as well as rich meat like duck Warm foods like soups and slow cooked foods are perfect this time of year. Add bone broth to your breakfast routine, your skin will love it.
Gentler exercise like yin yoga and walking are better during the winter than fast paced, high energy workouts. Now is a great time to work on meditation practices and gentle forms of releasing stuck energy and emotions.
In Chinese Medicine winter time is ruled by the element of water. Water can be gentle like mist or be powerful like the ocean currents. Water goes with the flow.
Going with the flow might look like staying home, turning off the news, and reading a book or a magazine. If you don’t have a fireplace, light some candles. Get cozy. Try your hand at some thing creative but relaxing. If writing or making art are not your thing, do a puzzle, play cards. Let your mind drift, relax.
This is also a great time to work on skin care. The reduced the sun damage makes treatment that much more potent.
Don’t worry, the Chinese New Year is right around the corner which means Spring time! With your batteries recharged, you’ll be prepared for the energized pulse of spring and welcome in the year of the Ox.
If you are feeling extra fatigued, now is the time to work on your health. See a Naturopathic Doctor or Chinese Medicine Practitioner. They can help you form habits to recharge your batteries. I’m not seeing new patients currently but if you need a referral to a ND or LAc, let me know and I can help direct you.
In Beauty and Wellness,
Dr. Ellerie
PS, don’t forget about Vitamin D which drops during winter. Vit D is essential for immune health. Ask your doctor about getting your vitamin D level tested if you haven’t recently.