Written by Kandiss Fernando
Many of us are really starting to feel the effects of this winter as we get continually overwhelmed with snow, icy winds, and freezing temperatures. In Chinese Medicine, living in tune with nature is essential for our health and wellbeing. If heading south is only an option available to you in your dream world, the following are a few healthy reminders for the rest of the winter season:
1. Food wise: Yes it is true that we are designed to eat more during the winter as our digestive fire increases, but how do we honour this in a healthy way? By favouring a warm, nourishing diet. Rice, barley, rye, healthy oils (ghee, coconut, linseed, avocado, hemp, olive), and seasonal root vegetables in soups and stews are all recommended. Dried foods, small dark beans, seaweeds and steamed wintergreens also fortify us during the winter.
2. Skin-care: The winter weather is very drying and neglected skin tends to wrinkle and age faster. Before going to bed massage your body with warm moisturizing and rich body oils such as almond or sesame oil for ten minutes. If you don’t have time for a full massage, rub your feet with sesame oil which helps promote restful sleep.
3. Activity wise: Although winter is a time of rest, it is important to stay active enough keep our spine and joints flexible. Waking up by 7am and beginning your day with vigorous exercise is recommended to get the lymph moving preventing congestion.
4. Winter weather can intensify our emotions. Mindfulness practices help us acknowledge, process and release our feelings of fear, grief and sadness. Also applying lavender oil on the forehead, breastbone, and wrist and behind the ears may be helpful at managing feelings of depression and aid restful sleep.