While summer holds the energetic, dynamic, outgoing energy winter is the exact opposite. It is the season of recovering and rejuvenating. In Chinese element theory water element is associated with winter, the related organs are the kidneys and the urinary bladder. The feelings associated with water elements:trust, self-confidence, willpower and when we are out of balance: depression,fear, panic.
As opposed to summer’s long hours of daylight which encourages many hours of activity,winter’s shorter days and increased darkness suggests a different lifestyle. In the past, in winter, humans have engaged in short, quick but intense activities: they hunted, built shelters, ran out to get food and ran back home again. After the intense burst of activity, they spent a lot of time resting.
The teaching of this season is to slow down, look inward, instead of reacting step back first and think things through.
Harmonizing water element
Sunlight is vital for our mood and energy levels. Even if it is cloudy outside, try to get out as much as you can.
You can add outer warmth to your body by using hot water bottles and / or go to the sauna.
Exercise: short strength-building yoga class followed by restorative poses, meditations. Much like our brains our bodies need time to recover from the past months of activity. Find a class that helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
Food: in the colder months of winter, this is the time to focus on more healthy fats,proteins and root vegetables for example a sweet potato is full of vitamin ABD, potassium and magnesium, they all give us immune boosting nutrients, energy and muscle maintaining vitamins. Eat soups, stews, fish. Add warming spices.
Avoid: cold drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. Alcohol gives you a false warmth feeling. It opens up the blood vessels just below your skin and takes the blood and heat away from your vital organs and the core of your body. Your will feel warm but your body temperature will actually drop.
