Winter Living: The Season of Yin
Few moments make you more aware of the natural environment than New England winters. Blustery daytime winds and cold, dark, and dreary evenings make us retreat to our blankets and hearths, cradling hot beverages until spring arrives.
When we view this season through the lens of Traditional Chinese medicine, our tendencies are no surprise. Winter represents the Yin aspect in Chinese Medicine --- the dark, cold, slow, inward energy that calls us to rest and recharge so we can emerge in spring, ready to face the world again.
Winter is also the time when the flu and other viruses, such as COVID, rear their ugly heads, which means prevention is the name of the game this time of year.
Remember the adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? Here are a few ounces of acupuncture and Bodywork advice to minimize the chance of winter bugs keeping you down.
Acupuncture tips for winter living:
Bundle up! While some New Englanders take pride in wearing shorts in winter, make sure you stay warm when outside. Wear layers of clothing and protect your hands with gloves or mittens.
Eat and drink warm foods: Digestion requires energy, which may be deficient when feeling run down. Help it along by eating warm foods. Remember to drink when thirsty or when working out, while remaining mindful that too much water or a “prescribed” amount of water isn’t recommended.
Make sure to spend some time outside during the daytime and take vitamin D until April.
At the first inkling of cold symptoms, reach out to AcuBoston via text and request a virtual herbal appointment. We try to accommodate same-day appointments/prescription filling for custom herbal teas to relieve cold and flu symptoms, shorten your sickness duration, and limit the chances of complications.
Reducing muscle pain in winter:
Winter is also when pre-existing aches and pains resurface, partly from the cold, but more likely from our tendency to be less active in the chillier months. We’re indoors more, curled up on the couch with a good book or our latest Netflix binge, and as a result, our inactive muscles tighten, lose their plasticity, and become weaker, painful, and tight.
To keep those aches and pains at a minimum, be sure to incorporate the following into your self-care routine:
Daily Movement: Sure, Nor’ Easters provide a workout opportunity, but shoveling mounds of snow cannot be your only form of exercise this winter! Maintaining a regular exercise ritual — a daily 30-minute walk or simple yoga routine (or both!) can do wonders for keeping the muscles supple and lengthened. Remember, there is no bad weather, only poor clothing choices!
Relaxation: As mom used to say, “Rest is best.” Carve out time in your day to rest and heal your body, particularly if you’re prone to injury or live with chronic pain. Indulge in a soothing, warm bath a few times a week to encourage blood circulation and relax weary muscles.
Hydration: We tend to gravitate toward hot beverages such as tea, coffee, and cocoa in the winter months, but it’s also important to drink plenty of water to maintain healthy body tissue. If the thought of cold water is unappealing, consider herbal teas, or warm water with lemon to keep you warm and hydrated at the same time.
Consider a Massage and Bodywork as a Pre-cold Remedy: While Massage and Bodywork harbor musculoskeletal benefits, it can also boost your immune system. A Cedars-Sinai Medical Center study revealed that people who received a 45-minute Massage had an increased number of lymphocytes, the white blood cells that aid in defending the body from disease. As Dr. Mark Rappaport, one of the study’s researchers says, “…[M]assage doesn’t only feel good, it may also be good for you.”
So, if you’re looking for an ounce of cold and flu prevention, a therapeutic Massage and Bodywork session may be just what your body needs! Contact Joseph Welch at Boston Integrated Body to get yourself on the books and on the Massage table.