Tips for Winter from Traditional Chinese Medicine
As we approach the longest night of the year, we are sharing tips from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help you feel best through this dark time.
📝 Dedicate Time to Internal Reflection
While Summer encourages us to spend late evenings gathering with friends, Winter finds us cozying up and tending to stay inside.
Follow the natural energy of the season by using this time to reflect. This time invites you to process what has happened this year, and restore yourself to have energy for Spring.
🔄 Practice Gentle Exercise
While some TCM practitioners may go so far as to suggest no sweating during the Winter, the idea is that you do not want to over exhaust yourself with exercise during this restorative season.
Practices such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Walking, or Dance are all recommended for your Winter days. These practices also benefit your nervous system, which needs all the nourishment it can get during the Winter!
😴 Use the Darkness to Sleep More
Adjust your inner clock to follow the sun and receive as much rest as possible.
While continuing to wake with the sun, it is also recommended to follow the darkness and retire to bed earlier. I’m cutting myself off from all apps after dinner time to help my mind slow down.
🧘 De-Stress to Support Your Mood
As many of us already know, Winter can be hard on our mood. Many people feel more depressed and anxious during the dark months of Winter.
Starting a mindfulness practice, such as meditation, can help support your mood through this darker time.
Your Kidney system helps your body regulate stress. Give your Kidneys extra support with Chica Chill on your stressful days.
🌞 Find the Sun
Go outside and soak up the sun while it’s out! If you normally save a walk for after work, try scheduling it in the middle of day so you can enjoy the sunshine.
(image: Winter Night by Oskar Mulley, 1923)
