Hot Girl Winter with Traditional Chinese Medicine
With the holidays and the Winter Equinox rapidly approaching, it’s safe to say that winter is officially upon us. As a born-and-raised midwestern gal (who also deals with seasonal depression), this season is one I typically dread all year, and the masses seem to agree. Between freezing cold weather, runny noses, and 4pm sunsets, it’s easy to want to shut the world out and hunker down until spring. This year, however, I have made it a personal goal of mine to romanticize the winter season and get the most out of it. I have recently been learning about all things TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), and have found many of these ancient approaches to be a helpful guiding force in bettering my overall health and wellness, but especially in regards to improving my experience throughout the winter months. Read on to find out how we’re going to Hot Girl Winter this holiday season, all thanks to TCM principles that have guided for thousands of years.
Staying Warm
First and foremost, TCM places a huge emphasis on the importance of keeping warm, especially for women. Based on the concepts of yin and yang, TCM practitioners believe that cold leads to poor circulation, illness, and imbalances in the body. Staying warm helps strengthen the immune system (hence why they call it a cold) and preserve yang energy (warmth, vitality) in a yin season (cold, dark, still). Here’s how to maximize warmth this winter:
Bundling up. Especially when going outdoors, you need to be wearing layers. TCM particularly recommends covering the head, hands, lower back, and feet. I used to be a barefoot around the house kind of girl but earlier this year I started wearing wool socks full time, and I have not once looked back. Keeping your feet warm improves circulation and overall body temperature and for women, TCM theory links cold feet to a cold uterus, which contributes to infertility. The feet are also important because the kidney channel starts at the soles of the feet, and in TCM, winter is associated with the kidney system. More on this later.
Make the switch to hot coffee and tea. Indulging in a hot beverage is a great way to restore warmth to the digestive system, and sitting down with a hot tea is not only a cozy vibe, but has an added bonus from whatever herbs you’re using. TCM does not approve of iced drinks because they weaken the “digestive fire” and slow down the function of your organs. This was a hard one for me- I used to keep ice in my insulated water bottle at all times because I couldn’t fathom drinking room temperature water, but it was absolutely worth it to make the switch because I feel less sluggish.
Prioritize warming herbs and spices. TCM says that these tonify Qi (life force energy) and nourish the blood. Some great options are ginger, cinnamon, garlic, cardamom, cloves, turmeric, thyme, and more. Incorporating warming herbs and spices is an easy way to build warmth in the whole body.
Saunas, hot baths, and heating pads. These activities dispel dampness and cold and increase circulation, and are loved by many cultures. Scandinavians, who are experts at “wintering”, are huge on sauna culture and love these methods for escaping the cold. I personally take a hot epsom salt bath once a week to reset and am also becoming a big fan of heating pads, especially during my menstrual cycle. I love that they are portable and provide a more localized heat to a certain area, and it makes the biggest difference in my cramps.
Slowing Down
In TCM, winter is the most yin season, which encourages a shift inward for rest and reflection. Winter is also associated with the water element, which governs the kidneys (aka our reservoirs for vital energy). Just as nature rests and restores energy, humans also need to slow down to nourish our vital reserves and prepare for spring, where we will be in bloom. For alignment with nature’s cycles:
Prioritize sleep. Our deepest, most important form of rest is necessary to completely recharge.
Practice restorative activities. Think meditation, yoga, reading, etc.
Do not overexert. Despite the internet’s obsession with the “winter arc”, winter is not the time to be hustling and grinding. A stressful, busy lifestyle in the winter goes against the natural seasons of our body and our natural world and will only lead to burnout.
Eating Seasonally
Eating in season is a great habit to be in year-round as you support your local farmers, are more connected to your natural ecosystem, save money, and eat foods that are in tune with the nutrients you need in that time of year. The practice of eating seasonally in the winter helps you align with the season’s energy conservation and replenish internal warmth. Winter seasonal eating looks like:
Soups, stews, and broths. Easy to digest and are incredibly warming. Eating soup might just be my favorite aspect of the colder months- I literally look forward to it all year and you will never not find a can of soup in my cabinet (but fresh/homemade is better!)
Root vegetables and dark greens. This produce is in season during the winter months and is nutrient dense, provides essential vitamins and minerals, and provides complex carbohydrates that offer sustained energy.
Nourish the kidneys. As previously mentioned, in TCM winter is the season of the kidneys, which are considered the root of life and the storehouse for our Essence. The kidneys govern growth, development, and reproduction, so it’s crucial to care for them during this season of rest. Avoid excess salt and consume more black beans, kidney beans, walnuts, black sesame seeds, dark leafy greens, and minerals.
Getting Moving
Last but not least, TCM notes the importance of movement during the winter, as exercise supports Qi and the flow of energy in the body. Exercise is a good yang to balance the yin of winter, but it’s imperative that you don’t get carried away and still take care to get plenty of rest. Avoid overexertion and focus on yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, stretching, and walking. Also- walking outdoors! Fresh air and vitamin D will make you feel immensely better. As the saying goes- there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. Invest in quality materials and layer up- you’ll be glad you took the time to be outdoors and connect with the Earth. This being said, my walking pad works overtime during the fall and winter. It’s perfect for those days that I want to stay comfortable indoors but still get my steps in, and I love to enjoy a YouTube video and get inspired while I walk.
