Five Element Acupuncture draws on observations of nature for it's analysis of the human body and our integral link to the world around us. By observing the seasons and the changes within them we can apply basic principles to our lives which enable us to maintain health and vitality, even in extreme or trying conditions. Winter is described in Five Element Acupuncture as the most inward and therefore the most reflective time of the year. As the energy of our locality draws inward, trees and plant life enters a relative dormant time. Some animals will take this to an extreme and will hibernate to reserve energy and only wake as the weather warms up and the chances of survival improve as food supplies become more abundant and body temperature can be maintained. As we live in a relatively prosperous part of the world most of us have many life saving luxuries that we largely take for granted. For example access to heat, easy access to food and a comfortable place to sleep. This can give us a false sense of the season and pushes us further away from living a life which observes the basic rules of all life. The main issue is that this season is our time for withdrawing and gathering ourselves. By allowing ourselves a dormant time we are allowing ourselves time to recoup. This doesn't mean that we should vegetate in front of the telly, it is more to do with how we choose to spend our time. Here are my top tips for winter in the UK:
Eat hot/warm food. This is the season for soups stews and casseroles.
Don't eat cold food like salads, cold drinks.
Choose plenty of stretching exercise over going out in all weathers. Keep yourself ticking over on the exercise front rather than trying to break any records.
If you are looking at your diet, rather than calorie counting and eating too much raw food do this one thing: give up sugar including sugary drinks like alcohol!
Wrap up well, don't settle for cold body parts! Cold muscles increase the risk of injury and wet and cold increase the risk of colds and flu.
Go to bed early, rise a little later.
Hope you like the top tips, enjoy winter, its a great time for contemplating and getting ready for the upward and outward energy of spring and summer.