by Jenni Herbert, December 2024.
As we settle into the quieter, introspective months of winter, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and nourish both our body and mind. Jenni Herbert, a TCM acupuncturist, naturopath, holistic naturopath and energy worker, shares insightful Eastern perspectives on how to align with the rhythms of the Winter season, embracing rest and self-care while preparing for the year ahead.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each season is ruled by an element, and winter is governed by the Water element. This represents a time of stillness, reflection, and the conservation of energy. Just as nature retreats inward during winter, we are encouraged to do the same. By honoring this stillness, we can rest, regenerate, and lay a strong foundation for health and vitality in the coming year. The Water element embodies the qualities of rest at stillness and flow in motion, and when balanced, it brings strength, courage, and alignment with one’s purpose.
However, the darker, colder, and damp nature of winter brings with it an increase in illnesses—such as colds, flu, sciatica, lower back pain, urinary infections, and skin conditions. Emotionally, we may experience SAD (seasonal affective disorder), and the Water element in TCM is also associated with fear. Winter can be a time when unresolved fears and anxieties surface, making it all the more important to take steps to care for both our physical and emotional wellbeing.
So, how do we thrive through this season and strengthen our immune system? TCM offers practical, straightforward advice that, though simple, can have a powerful impact.
Practical Tips for Thriving This Winter
1. Prioritize Rest
Just as trees shed their leaves and animals hibernate, winter invites us to slow down and embrace more rest. Adequate sleep is essential to regenerating our energy, allowing our bodies to recharge for the year ahead.
2. Protect Your Body from the Elements
TCM emphasizes protecting the body from the cold and wind, with special care to areas like the neck, shoulders, lower back, knees, and feet. Layering up and keeping these areas warm helps preserve vital energy.
3. Eat Warming, Nourishing Foods
Winter is a time for comfort foods that nourish and warm the body. Raw and cooling foods are replaced with easily digestible, warming meals. Incorporate slow-cooked broths, soups, stews, and seasonal vegetables like kale, cabbage, and root vegetables, along with dark berries. Spices like ginger, garlic, and cardamom add warmth and flavour while supporting digestion and circulation.
4. Gentle Movement and Flexibility
While winter isn’t the time for overexertion, gentle movement supports circulation and flexibility. Focus on activities like walking, yoga, pilates, moderate strength training, and Qi Gong. These practices help us stay grounded and centered while supporting physical strength and emotional balance.
5. Emotional Wellness through Reflection
Winter is also an excellent time to work on emotional well-being. Meditation, gratitude practices, and self-reflection can help us release old patterns and emotional blocks, allowing us to move into the new year with clarity and peace of mind. Breathing exercises and finding time for connection with others are also crucial for alleviating winter’s emotional heaviness.
Winter as Preparation for the New Year
In TCM, winter is not just about surviving the season, but using it as a time to rest, restore, and prepare for the coming spring and year ahead. By taking time to pause and listen to our body and mind, we allow ourselves to build a solid foundation of health and vitality. Just as the earth rests during winter to prepare for the rebirth of spring, we can take this time to align ourselves with the rhythms of nature, giving ourselves permission to rest deeply and reflect honestly, so we can emerge stronger and ready to embrace the new year.
Jenni Herbert
Lic.Ac / MBAcC / HI Dip Comp. Therapies / HI Dip Nutrition / Dip Naturopathy / Dip Psychotherapy & Counselling / Dip P.F.T / RYT-200
Jenni Herbert is a skilled TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) acupuncturist, naturopath, and holistic therapist offering personalized care both in person and online. She holds clinics in London and Lincoln, providing treatments tailored to each individual’s needs. For consultations, you can reach Jenni via her website at jennitrihealth.com or email her directly at jennitrihealth@gmail.com.