With the colder temperatures and shorter days, winter is officially here and we are now in the most yin time of year – a natural time when rest, quiet, and introspection are favored over long days of energetic activity. In TCM winter is represented by the element of water. Just as the flow of water slows and nature goes dormant during this time, winter encourages us to restore and conserve our energy, preparing for the growth and new life of spring.
In the body, water is associated with the kidney system. The Kidney controls urinary functions just as it does in Western medicine. But in TCM, the Kidney plays a big part in regulating our adrenal system and hormone balance, and it is where we store our jing, or vital essence necessary for life, growth and reproduction to occur.
When it comes to our menstrual cycle, winter represents the menstrual phase each month when hormone levels drop and the endometrial lining is shed, laying the foundation for the upcoming cycle. Because the kidney system is particularly vulnerable to imbalances in winter, menstrual irregularities, low back cramps, exhaustion, and anxiety can be more common during this time. When we don’t slow down to adapt to this yin energy of the season, we risk “burning” out. And with that comes an increase in stress, anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, and irregular menstrual cycles.
Here are a few simple tips to keep our kidney system strong during winter months and support healthy periods each month.
Eat warming foods - nourish your body with warming foods (like soup and congees) and teas throughout the colder months to ward against internal cold and keep your body warm. Add warming spices to your cooking such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, rosemary.
Cold nature foods, such as frozen foods, smoothies, and raw foods should be limited/avoided during this time.
Use a heat pad on the low back and low abdomen
Get plenty of rest, get to bed early
Conserve energy, enjoy activities that are gentle, introspective, or reflective such as yin yoga, meditation, journaling. This not only helps your body tune into the yin energy of winter but helps relieve the stress and anxiety.
Mallory Berge is a Licensed Acupuncturist and fellow of the Acupuncture Board of Reproductive Medicine. Her clinical focus is on women's wellness, reproductive health, fertility, and Chinese herbal medicine. You can learn more about working with Mallory, and check out her schedule, by clicking here.
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