Thriving Through the Holiday Season: Your TCM Guide to Wellness

What is the TCM winter energy?

All seasons hold their own significant importance according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each one has a particular natural element and its unique correspondences.

Winter signifies the end of the annual cycle. We slow down and turn deep within, just like in nature. As animals and plants become dormant and less active, we are also called to conserve our energy. This is when our bodies’ yang energy is hibernating, meaning our qi and blood tend to move inwards, making it harder to release water as sweat. In winter, you must pay extra attention to your kidney, bladder, and ears.

Ruled By The Water Element
Winter is associated with Water, the most nourishing and essential substance for life. There won’t be life without water. In winter, we’re more likely to nourish ourselves by staying in bed and resting throughout the day because we store more water. If we overwork ourselves and lack sleep, we can quickly deplete our water energy and become lethargic, affecting our kidneys and urinary tract.

The Wisdom of Water
The emotions of water are courage and self-confidence. Without the energy of Water during winter, we can be afraid of the unknown and remain stuck in our old ways. To harness its power, TCM says you need to be the driver of your own destiny by encouraging yourself to get up every day and move forward in life. Make sure to be in a flow state, moving effortlessly through the season with willpower and ease.

Your TCM guide to wellness for the holidays

Even though we typically have lower physical activity in winter, we shouldn’t give up on being active. Studies show that reducing the daily level of physical activity in adults can reduce quality of life. Stanaszek (2023) stated, “The consequences of a lack of physical activity are negative health effects, faster aging of the body, and an increased risk of many civilization diseases.”

Supporting the classic texts of Chinese Medicine, Dr. Cook said we need to embrace the yin season and refrain from overusing the yang energy. Here are some helpful reminders to prepare yourself during the holidays.

• Sleep and wake up early: Just like the phrase from Huangdi Neijing, “Go to bed early and get up late, waiting for the daylight,” you’ll find you are more energized for the day when you sleep for up to 8-10 hours and wake up when the sun comes out.
• Keep yourself warm: Cook porridge with scallions, ginger slices, and glutinous rice to warm your body and prevent colds. You can also try different roast or stew recipes. Wear winter clothes that cover your head, back, and feet.
• Soak in the sun: In winter, Chinese medicine teaches us to “bask on the back” to maintain health. This involves sitting with your back to the sun and letting it warm you slightly. The sun’s yang energy will be absorbed into the body through the acupuncture points on the back and then transported to all body parts.
• Exercise: Try not to strain yourself too much with rigorous exercises, but you can try light stretching, practicing yoga or qigong. Moving around the house or cleaning are physical activities you can do during the holidays.
• Take care of your kidney: As mentioned above, the kidney is active during winter. It is the organ that helps regulate and maintain the body’s fluid balance and excrete wastes via urine. That’s why we should nourish it by drinking water regularly, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, and limiting our alcohol intake.

You can also try herbal teas with goji berries or Rehmannia. Still, it’s best to consult a licensed TCM expert in the Miami area, like Dr. Carolyn, for a personalized formula that targets your unique needs.

Her client said this after recovering from lazy bladder output and more: “I thankfully found Classical Herbs and Acupuncture’s Dr. Cook through favorable reviews in my local Miami area. Dr. Cook is very knowledgeable, has a terrific bedside manner, and is determined to obtain answers in order to provide relief. After the first treatment with acupuncture and her specially-prepared herbal medicine, I could tell we were on the right track. Highly recommended!”

Read the full Success Story and discover what ailments were cured by acupuncturist and expert healer Dr. Cook!

More Wellness Tips and Services at Classical Herbs and Acupuncture

Thrive during the cold season with Classical Herbs and Acupuncture’s wellness services, such as acupuncture, massage, stress management, nutrition, and herbal formulas. Our office around the Miami area is open to soothe your holiday stress before it gets too hectic.

Book your consultation with Dr. Carolyn Cook and learn more about personal wellness to be your best holiday-ready self! Call us at (305) 665-9711 or email us at cc@miamiherbs.com

Sources:

New Survey: Majority of U.S. Adults are Less Active During the Winter | National Recreation and Park Association. (2020).
https://www.nrpa.org/about-national-recreation-and-park-association/press-room/new-survey-majority-of-u-s-adults-are-less-active-during-the-winter/

Stanaszek, M., Fugiel, J., Kozieł, S., Sebastjan, A., Suder, A., & Ignasiak, Z. (2023). Effect of Winter Outdoor Physical Activity on Body Composition and Motor Performance of Polish Adult Men. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 11(16), 2348.
https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162348