The ancient Chinese believed that human beings should live in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment. The cold and darkness of winter urges us to slow down. This is the time of year to reflect on our health, replenish our energy and conserve our strength.
Winter is inactive, cold, and damp. Remain introspective, restful, and consolidate your energy through the season and prepare for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring.
During the winter months it is important to nurture and nourish our kidney energy. It is the time where this energy can be most easily depleted. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter – rest, reflection, conservation and storage. Â
The Nei Ching, an ancient Chinese classic, advised people to go to sleep early and rise late, after the sun's rays have warmed the atmosphere a bit. This preserves your own energy for the task of warming in the face of cold.
Eating warm hearty soups and roasted nuts help to warm the body’s core and to keep us nourished. Sleep early, rest well, stay warm, and expend a minimum quantity of energy.
Reposted from acufinder-By: Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM