Many of us find it hard to slow down.
The demands of life are continuous. We're all trying to keep up with the changing times and doing the best we can.
Nature and the seasons require change and adaptation on us and if we follow those cycles and rhythms, we can actually find ourselves in better flow which can help our health, emotional states, and also our productivity.
Winter with its longer nights and colder temperatures is naturally a time encouraging us to go inside, to go within. It offers us a valuable opportunity for renewal in advance of springtime to prepare for the new cycle of transformation.
Obviously we can't be in spring all the time. What bursts open in new life will come around eventually to wither, die, and be composted, re-used into new life.
How best to nurture ourselves in this time?
Go slower. Get lots of sleep and stay well-hydrated. Allow yourself cozy, cocoon time to just be. Contemplate ways you can simplify your life. Give yourself permission to say 'no' especially to people or invitations you know to be depleting.
In terms of physical health, I see this as a time for preventative (and strengthening) actions and one of the best things you can do for yourself in this season in particular is to take care of your precious lungs. Because it is such a dry season, it is easy to end up with a painful and dry cough. It's important to keep the lungs healthy and moist.
Here are some more recommendations:
Acupuncture can help here as can TCM.
Drink herbal teas like goji berry, astragalus, North American ginseng, red dates.
Protect the kidneys by keeping your mid-section and feet warm at all times.
Plants in the home can help dissipate winter gloom and provide oxygen.
Breathing meditations and pranayama are a gift to the lungs.
Bundle up in the cold and limit your time outside when the weather gets super cold.
However! You want to make sure you get good time outside getting physical activity.
Limit the greasy, sugary, inflammatory foods (a challenge during the holidays!)
And of course, limit or quit smoking and reduce your exposure to smoke and toxins.
The winter season marks the conclusion of a year. It is a chance to honour the end before opening up to welcome the new.
We grow and evolve when we slow down to witness our world and surroundings, to see and honour how far we've come, and to offer appreciation and learn our lessons.
The winter is our guide here offering the pace. I invite you to slow down, befriend it, and set yourself up for the most marvellous spring.
And of course, if you are dealing with a particular ailment or affliction and need some personalized help I am here for you.
In health,
Lee