Tuesday 20 January 2015

Staying healthy in Winter


Staying healthy in winter


Staying healthy can be a job in itself. Many articles in magazines are about health and staying healthy. But how do we do that? Articles can contradict each other, which can make it quite confusing. It changes from day to day, depending on what research has been funded and by whom. In the Western world we are used to thinking in absolute and dualistic terms, in either/or, good or bad. This linear approach does not look at the interconnectedness nor the bigger picture.


As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) I have studies the ancient Chinese vision and their approach on staying healthy. In essence it is very logical. We are part of nature and therefore the best food is straight from nature and seasonal. We are directly of indirectly influence by our environment. The Yin Yang theory and the five elementtheory are both rooted in the laws of nature. Since we are part of nature, we can prevent illness throught adjusting our diet and lifestyle according to the seasons.

One of the first documentation on Chinese Medicine is the Yellow Emperor's Classic on Medicine which dates back to 240 B.C. It is a dialogue between the Yellow emperor ( Huang Di) and Qi Bo, the emperor's doctor. Huang Di explains the seasonal cycle:
One way of getting warm is throught physical activity, but in winter one should refrain from intense sweating in order to preserve the energy, so it can be put in action in spring. When involved in a sport in winter it is extra important to have a good warm up of joints and muscles. Activities which are good during winter are yoga, qi gong, tai qi and meditation. These gentle exercises relas the mind and calm our emotions and raise the spirit. They are benificial for everyone, but especially for people effected by seasonal depression.

"Spring is the beginning of things, when the energy shouldbe open en fluid: summer opens up further into an exchange or communication between internal and external energies: in the fall it is important to conserve: finally the winter is dominated by the storage of energy." Winter represents the most yin aspect in Chinese medicine. He further explains:" During the winter months all things wither, hide, return home and enter a resting period. This is the time when yin dominates the yang. Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up at sunrise, which is later in winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdues, as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm. Avoid the cold and keep the skin covered.

In winter time our bodies need warming foods, such as soups with hearty vegetables, rich stocks and stews. The vegetables that naturally grow in the season are roots, carrots, winters greens, squashes and potatoes. Since winter is part of the water element, the kidney energy needs to be nourished through: black beans, adzuki beans, kidney beans, walnuts, chicken, cinnamon, fennel seeds. To have a good start of the day treat yourself to a glass of homemade ginger tea: Cut a piece of 2cm2 ginger root. Add to a small pan of water. Simmer for about 10 minutes. When you want it a bit sweet than add some manuka honey.

When following the Yellow emperors advise to preserve our energy in winter, we are fit when spring arrives.

“In the old days the sages treated disease by preventing illness before it began, just as a good emperor was able to take the necessary steps to avert war. Treating an illness after it has begun is like suppressing revolt after it has broken out. If someone digs a well when thirsty, or forges weapons after becoming engaged in battle, one cannot help but ask: Are there actions not too late?”

Living according to the seasons is not easy, but with small adjustments according to the logic of Chinese medicine one can help oneself to stay healthy.

Good luck!

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