Winter in Traditional Chinese Medicine is connected with the water element and the kidneys. Drawing from these principles, here are 7 tips emphasizing rest, warmth, nourishment, and conserving energy for long-term vitality during the coldest months of the year.
1. Conserve energy
Slow down your pace, sleep earlier, wake with the sun, and choose gentle activities like tai chi, qigong, slow walking, and light stretching.
2. Keep warm
Protect the lower back, abdomen, and feet; avoid cold wind and getting chilled after sweating to safeguard kidney yang.
3. Eat warm, nourishing foods
Focus on cooked, seasonal foods such as root vegetables, black beans, leafy greens, bone broths, lamb, beef, duck, and warming spices (ginger, cinnamon, garlic). Avoid cold/raw foods and iced drinks.
4. Support the kidneys
Include kidney-strengthening foods like black sesame seeds, walnuts, seaweed, goji berries, chestnuts, and herbal stews (with herbs used under guidance).
5. Care for the mind and emotions
Winter encourages quiet introspection. Practice meditation, journaling, silence, and gentle breathing to balance yin and prevent fear-related imbalances.
6. Drink warm herbal teas
Ginger-red date, goji berry, and cinnamon twig teas help maintain warmth and circulation.
7. Avoid excessive sweating
Prefer mild exercise and avoid going into cold air right after exertion, since sweating opens pores and lets cold enter the body.
Adapted from: Hima Acupuncture