Photo by Hotfield.

The longest night is now behind us with the passing of Winter Solstice, and the days will slowly become brighter: Winter has officially arrived! In Chinese medicine this is what we call the Yin (cold, dark, slow) time of year, as opposed to Summer’s Yang (warm, bright, energetic). In this season we should meditate more, sleep in when possible, and take care of our fatigued bodies.

Chinese medicine is a great way to keep your body cold and flu-free. Practitioners often use moxibustion this time of the year for its power to keep dampness, that heavy sensation and lack of energy, which is a real problem here in the Northwest. Acupuncture points are chosen to keep the immune system in check, and also to keep energy at a balanced level.

Speaking of energy, you may notice that you don’t have the same amount of “get-up” you do in the summer, which is a good thing. It’s not lethargy, it’s nature’s cue to take it a little slower in the winter. The ground is cold, animals are hibernating, and life is building up to slowly burst forth in the spring. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of taking a few months off to sleep as the animals do. For us, there’s no difference in our work and school schedules and life goes on as usual.

Here are some simple suggestions for slowing down and making the most of the season:

• Stop drinking iced drinks and go for the warm versions of these. I recommend a nice herbal tea, as coffee increases dampness in the body.
• Choose warm, nourishing soups and stews over cold foods and salads. Be sure to choose good quality meat and fish for these meals.
• Eat more in season vegetables like sweet potatoes, yams, and winter squash.
• Cook your own food instead of eating out! This will warm your house (the heat from the stove) and warm your heart (nourishing yourself and those you love). If you don’t have time to cook, consider setting up a slow cooker to simmer healthy meals for you while you’re at work.

Happy Wintering!

Amy Chitwood, L.Ac. is a graduate of the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. She is nationally board certified in Chinese herbal medicine and manages the Portland Acupuncture Blog.