Posted by Kimberly Rex
Winter Wellness Naturally
Winter is a time to consider going within to nourish your roots. It is time to incorporate self-care even more consciously during these cold months. This article shares natural ways to build integrity in your winter wellness naturally.
1) Take Care of Your Kidneys and Bladder
Winter is Water Element time in Traditional Chinese Medicine. So this is is especially a good time to do self-care for your kidneys and bladder. 1) Be sure that the food you eat and the beverages you drink are not cold. They should be at least room temperature. Drink 2-3 cups of water or tea between 1 and 3 pm to hydrate your system. Add a little salt to your meal at dinner (between 5 and 7 pm: Kidney time). 2) Eat foods with root vegetables, whole grains, and small amounts of meat or fish protein. Include foods that are dark blue or close to black in color to feed your kidneys. If you are a vegetarian, eat more beans, nuts, seeds, and tempeh. 3) Keep your feet and kidney area warm throughout the winter. Wear a scarf to keep your neck warm. 4) You can do some movement for this purpose as well: marching in place is helpful. Rub your ears also as they are related to Water Element.
2) Take Care of Your Lungs
Movement and Breath: Be sure to stretch your upper body. By doing this so, you are expanding your lungs. You can do this by opening your arms to the side and above your head to open your chest (stretching your lungs). Open your neck and mouth with a sound to expel toxins from the lungs as you do so. Stretch your upper body from side to side with your arms crossing over each other in a push to the opposite side to stretch your lungs for winter wellness.
Breathing Exercise: Pursed Lips Breathing: Pursed-lips breathing can slow down your breathing, reducing the work of breathing by keeping your airways open longer. This makes it easier for the lungs to function and improves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This breathing exercise can be practiced at any time.
How to:
- Inhale slowly through your nose.
- Purse your lips, as if you are going to blow on something.
- Breathe out slowly through your pursed lips. This should take at least 2 x as long as you take to breathe in.
- Repeat.
3) Take Care of Your Large Intestine
Taking care of your digestion means being sure you are eating to keep your digestion running smoothly. When you have issues with digestion or elimination, incorporate fennel, ginger, marjoram, thyme, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper in your cooking and teas. Consider flax seeds, flaxseed oil, and psyllium if you have difficulties with elimination.
Look at stress in your life that constricts your ability to let go. Be sure to keep hydrated. You can also use the sound, “M” for the sound of letting go.
4) More Natural Remedies for Winter Wellness
These two articles have additional winter wellness resources with nutritional, herbal, and tea recipes.
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