WELLNESS AUTHOR
Isabel Meijering
EMBRACE THE YIN THIS WINTER n Keep your immune system up during this winter season with these top wellness practices, according to Chinese medicine.
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n Chinese medicine, there is a widespread belief that harmonizing with the seasons will help prevent disease and maintain health. In modern times, we have lost a lot of this knowledge and eat foods out of their naturally occurring seasons, trying to keep the same energy and activity level year long – something we aren’t made to do. Winter is the most Yin season in Chinese medicine, which represents a dark, slow, inward moving energy – the most we will have all year. This season represents the element of water with the corresponding yin and yang organs being the kidneys and bladder, respectively. The kidneys hold our fundamental energy, or essence. We nourish our kidneys through rest, gentle movement, and our herbal and food choices.
DECEMBER 2021
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Rest fully. This is a season where many mammals hibernate so if you are craving more sleep and less activity, listen to your body. Winter is a time for physical and emotional nourishment. Gravitate toward inward activities like meditation, reading and writing. For meditation newbies, know there are many ways to meditate. Some people need music or sound to stay stimulated; others are content with breathwork and silence. Both are perfect!
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