BUILD STRENGTH THIS WINTER!

WINTER can be a struggle!

WINTER can be a time when you can build energy and be ready to burst forth in spring!

Back story:

In the Five Element Acupuncture system, we learn about ourselves through observing the different types of energy (element) in each season.

Winter is associated with the Water Element. The essential type of energy which supports all of our substance and activity is called Water energy.

Just as all forms of life depend on water in Nature, we depend on the Water energy within us. Protecting it is essential to our health, well being and longevity.

Look to the Winter season to learn ways we can protect our Water energy.

Winter is a time of stillness when growth and reproduction in Nature stops. This time of rest protects and builds reserves of essential Water energy. This time of inactivity is actually the beginning of the time of activity.

This principle is illustrated by the taiji symbol:

In the fullness of Winter (represented by the largest part of the black area) you can see the very beginning of Summer (white ‘tail’). We see them as opposites, but each flow into and create the other.

The seeds, roots and bulbs frozen underground at this time are preserving and building reserves. In this way, they are ready when Spring signals the time to begin the expansion of the life force.

Of course, we would be a mess after spending the Winter in deep freeze! And few of us will spend an entire Winter resting in a cave. But we can emphasize rest and stillness at this time.

• Get one, two or more extra hours of sleep a week.
• Regardless of the total hours of sleep, you will get more out of it by getting to sleep by 10 or 11 p.m.
• Take some time for inward activities: meditation, reading, relaxation, prayer or whatever suits you.
• Stay within your energy reserves at this time of year. Rather that exhausting yourself and then ‘making it up’ later with extra sleep or downtime, try to stop when you are tired.
• If you feel like you are not accomplishing anything when you rest, remember that you are building the energy to do MORE.

To your health!

Diane