Winter is the Element of Water and is a Yin Season a time of more inward movement as can be seen in nature where all the energy has returned deep into the roots of the plants and trees - storing and preserving the Qi in readiness for the inevitable outward movement of the Spring Yang energy.
According to Chinese Five element theory the Kidneys are the Organs associated with the Element of Water and store the Qi of the bodymindspirit. They are the primary organs that control procreation, growth, maturation and ageing. The Kidneys relate to the Ears, Bones and Reproductive organs. They govern the Head-Hair, Teeth and mental clarity. As part of the ageing process there is a natural decline in all these aspects of the body so hearing becomes diminished, bones brittle, teeth and hair fall out and fertility and libido declines. So it is most important to preserve the Kidney Qi by regulating and adjusting your daily lifestyle especially during the Season of Winter to prevent this natural ageing process from being accelerated.
As part of the ageing process our Kidney Qi declines and becomes more difficult to maintain and replenish. Therefore, it is necessary to take more time out from any activities, by resting and relaxing before one becomes fatigued. Prolonged activity of any kind, whether it be working, exercising, walking, talking or any over exertion, will deplete your Qi.
Winter is the time for inner reflection and introspection. A time to be less social, less active and to ensure that get more sleep and rest, by going to bed earlier and getting up later.
The Kidneys are most susceptible to attack from Cold so if this occurs symptoms such as low back pain, cold feet and cold sensations around the genitalia may be experienced so bodymindspirit hydrotherapy-ginger bath would also be helpful to ease such discomforts.
It is especially important to protect yourself from the prevailing Cold which is the predominant Clilate associated with the Season of Winter, by seeking warmth and wearing adequately protective clothing and eating regular warming nutritious meals. Cold is most harmful to the Yang energy which circulates to protect and warm the body. Therefore to protect your Yang Qi where it is at its most vulnerable in the upper body, especially the neck and shoulder regions you should always wear a scarf of natural fibre i.e. wool, cotton or silk prior to going outdoors.
When the Yang energy has been invaded by Cold, shivering sensations will be experienced. The Cold initially blocks the pores of the skin thereby stopping perspiration. The subsequent accumulated heat will eventually break open the pores and at this juncture you will begin to perspire. It is at this initial stage where the chilliness and aches predominate and no amount of clothing or blankets will make you feel warm, so have a bodymindspirit ginger tea and hydrotherapy bath.
According to Traditional Chinese Medical theory the healthiest diet is composed of clear, bland foods consisting mainly of grains, beans including tofu, dark green leafy and red, yellow vegetables and fruits. As these foods are considered highly nutritious and easily digested. Also to include only small amounts of meat, eggs and dairy as these foods though necessary to repair the body can be difficult to digest and can clog the body with dampness and phlegm.
You should avoid fried, roasted, fermented, pickled or hot natured foods as these can be very drying, toxic and create disease. Instead it is best to avoid all raw food and steam, boil or lightly cook, as cooking pre-digests the food into a soup-like consistency which enables better assimilation and digestion and prevents food stagnation / indigestion.
Always eat regularly three times a day, moderate amounts and only when hungry. Be sure to eat slowly, chew thoroughly and avoid distracting thoughts or activity such as reading or watching television as this can effect your appetite and result in poor digestion. Also never prepare or eat food when emotionally upset as this too will impair your digestion. Avoid eating late at night as this disturbs your quality of sleep and leads to unnecessary weight gain.
Avoid iced water and drinks and keep fluid intake to a minimum during meals because their chilled nature reduces your digestive fire. Also an excess of fluids can overburden the kidneys and create unnecessary abundant urination. Ideally fluids are best taken between meals and only when thirsty so as not to overburden the digestive tract and flood the kidneys with too much water. But a hot drink taken after meals will enhance digestion.
A diet should include all the five flavours pertaining to each season but a persistent usage of one of the flavours can cause and imbalance in the organs and so should be avoided.
The Taste / Flavour of Winter is Salty which regulates the moisture content
of the body and stimulates digestive function but too much can affect the Qi
of the Bones and imbalance the Kidney Qi.
Ensure you always eat warm cooked foods and avoid cold drinks and raw foods,
or food which has been chilled or frozen, as this can deplete the Yang energy
necessary to sustain your health through the Cold climate of Winter.
Your diet should include protein that has warming qualities such as beef, lamb, chicken and duck. To enhance flavour and warmth use herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, pepper, coriander, nutmeg and plenty of green leafy vegetables with well cooked grains such as rice, quinoa and oats.
To make a ginger tea cut several slices of fresh root ginger (about thumb size) and add one mug of water and simmer for 5 minutes, then sip while hot (honey can be added to taste). You can drink this tea after meals or before, during or after your ginger bath to help dispel the cold through sweating.
Pour a very hot bath and add a fist size of root ginger and soak for 15 minutes. After your bath do not dry but wrap yourself immediately in a robe and lie down to sweat profusely for another 5-10 minutes. During this process, do the bodymindspirit breathing.
The induced sweating will open your pores and drive out the Cold that has penetrated. For this treatment to work effectively timing is all important and you should do this within 24 hours for it to be effective when there has been no sweating.
Please note this is only for those in the initial phase of "catching cold" where symptoms of chilliness, shivering, inability to get warm, a clear nasal discharge and body aches predominate.
For those of you suffering from heart problems, high blood pressure, fever or signs of heat then this treatment is inappropriate.
In keeping with the Qi of the Winter Season it is important to go to sleep earlier and get up later as this is the greatest rest of the day. For more rest is required in Winter to preserve your Kidney Qi. Do not eat immediately prior to sleep as this will affect the quality of your sleep and lead to obesity. Be sure to try to quieten down your activities prior to sleep and therefore your mind in order to maximise a deep restful sleep. Since a large part of our lives are spent sleeping in our bedrooms try to minimalise all electrical appliances such as electric blankets, clocks and telephones etc. as this can interfere with your Qi. Keep your room well ventilated, warm and harmonious without unnecessary clutter.
Swimming is an ideal aerobic exercise that does not put any undue pressure on the bones particularly the spine and knees.
Qi Gong is especially good to cultivate your Kidney Qi. Try to find a local teacher to master this oriental art of movement so that you can incorporate it into your daily life.
Rest lying prone for twenty minutes and create warmth in your hands by rubbing them together then place both your hands just below your navel onto your Dan-Tien (a powerful energy centre of the body). Breathe deeply and slowly into this area while you imagine an hot sun revolving and generating energy from this area to the rest of your body. You can do this anytime to ease stress and fatigue, as it will enhance your energy. If done after meals this breathing technique will also aid digestion
For your walk set a reasonable brisk pace for yourself and keep to it, empty your mind listen to your breath and breathe in unison with your walking pace. By stopping your thoughts, you will notice the stillness of nature's Winter around you and be able listen to the silence. Become aware and mindful of the beauty of the Winter Season. Do not dawdle but maintain the pace and momentum of your movement especially from your lower abdomen & hip region. Feel yourself grounded in your Dan-Tien and stay present to each moment and your own rhythmic pace. Breath deeply and rhythmically. Do this for at least 20 minutes after meals or three times a week in order to improve your lung function and increase your cardiac output
Thinking is also an activity so it is important to become aware of the excess chatter of your thoughts and try to stem unnecessary excessive thinking which can turn into worry or obsessional thoughts. Apart from various meditation techniques one easy method is to set time aside each day for deep relaxation and either listen to non-lyrical music or a guided relaxation tape. By relaxing the body you can calm and empty your mind inducing necessary quietude. As the mind and body are so interdependent this method of relaxing the body will have a positive impact upon your mind and spirit and enhance body health.
One aspect of Winter is the lack of light and the propensity to spend more time indoors so it is really essential to take a regular daily walk in fresh air. Do not wear sunglasses as it is important for your health to take the light in through the eyes as this will prevent the winter blues from settling in. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is when some people get depressed through the dark, cold winter months due to the lack of exposure to day light. Another method is to use full spectrum natural lights which will prevent SAD and is beneficial for concentrated focus.