Seasonal Living for Winter Wellness
-Jeff Pufnock L.Ac. Ph.D. and Jessica Youngs L.Ac., Owners, Embodied Virtue Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine.
In Chinese Medicine and many holistic healing traditions around the world, the simplest path to health is learning to live in alignment with the seasons. This alignment can be understood by observing the seasonal processes of nature around us. The spring is the initiatory growth of seeds into sprouts, that then give rise to the full abundance of fruit in the summer. The fall is the drawing inwards of nutrients and the release of the leaves to the ground. The winter holds the place of complete stillness, deep nourishment, and infinite potential. The seeds of the next year's blossoms are firmly planted beneath the earth, resting in the dreams of the flowers they will become and the fruit they will bear. This winter process is absolutely essential for the spring to rise anew from a place of wellbeing and vitality.
Without the deep rest and quietude of winter, the vitality of spring is reduced and the potential for the entire year is diminished. American culture emphasizes ‘perpetual summer’ through its endless pressure to always do and produce more, and we all inhibit ourselves from embracing adequate rest during the correct time of year. This yearly depletion pattern repeats and leads to a drastic reduction of energy and vitality, including a weakened immune system.
Science suggests the prevalence of winter colds and flus results from stagnant air indoors and increased close personal contact with others. If our bodies are well nourished and our immune systems are resilient, we should be able to be moderately exposed to colds and flus without contracting them ourselves.
In Chinese Medicine deep rest during winter is essential for the replenishment of our vitality. It is completely natural to need and desire more rest at this time of year, even if responsibilities at work and home do not accommodate this. Replenishing our vitality through deep rest requires going against the societal tendencies to always do more, and instead relax into opportunities to do less. We are all able to do our best quality work when our rest is of the same quality.
Tips For a Replenishing Winter:
Fulfilling Nourishment: Drink warm water with lemon, herbal teas, hot cider. Enjoy slow-cooked foods such as stews, soups, curries, root vegetables, beans, lentils, seeds, and nuts. Steam or bake vegetables, and eat plenty of them. Avoid ice water, raw salads, and cold smoothies.
Deep Rest: Create extra time for sleep and honor your commitment to your health. Turn off electronic devices one hour before bedtime, avoid the news and anything disruptive. Instead, use soft lighting to journal, meditate, or snuggle up. Be in bed in a dark room by 10:30pm and wake with your own natural rhythm when possible.
Self-Reflection: Winter is a time for deeply listening to your inner self. What gives you the most nourishment in your life? What opportunities already exist for you to find more rest and relaxation, and where can you create more opportunities for self-care?