Welcome to winter! We just passed the winter Solstice, and we’re continuing our series about seasonal living and eating, guided by Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Yin Energy

In TCM, Winter is the season of Yin energy — soft, slow, and inward-focused. It is the season of rest and passivity, which we see in nature with many animals becoming less active due to the cold, or hibernating completely. Winter is the time for recharging and taking stock of our resources (mental, emotional, physical, time, financial, etc) to best prepare ourselves for the year ahead. While it’s cold outside, follow nature’s lead and stay inside with calm, inward-focused activities like meditation, self-reflection and writing.

TCM recommends using your energy wisely during this time, expending it only on activities that you feel excited and passionate about that connect to your deeper sense of purpose and meaning. Winter is, of course, also cold and flu season, and this year in particular we should espouse TCM’s recommendation to be judicious with our time and energy. As our social/communal time will and should be curtailed this winter, discern thoughtfully the places and people you want to spend your time with. Set healthy boundaries and commit to replenishing yourself during this time.

Call to the World: Spice Up Your Life!

Traditional Chinese Medicine associates winter with the kidneys, one of the organs most important for processing intake, filtering, and creating internal balance. Ideally the foods we eat during the winter will be supportive to the kidneys, and help the body combat the cold, dry elements.

TCM recommends ingesting more warming foods and drinks, both in temperature and in nature. This means focusing on cooked foods (see ya later, salads) and foods with warming spices and seasonings like cinnamon, cloves, and pepper. For drinks try warm or room temperature water, hot tea, spiced cider, and cinnamon lattes.