Winter and Chinese Medicine
Staying Healthy This Winter
Seasonal changes affect the body's environment. With the wind, rain, and snow comes the colds, flu, aches and pains. Here are a few tips to staying healthy this winter:
* Wash your hands regularly. Studies have shown that one of the main reasons that we catch colds and flu in the winter season is that we are indoors and in closer proximity to others in cold weather. Protect yourself by washing your hands regularly and try not to touch your face.
* Get plenty of sleep. An ancient Chinese classic, advised people to go to sleep early and rise late, after the sun's rays have warmed the atmosphere a bit. This preserves your own yang Qi for the task of warming in the face of cold.
* Reduce stress. Find a way to relax and release stress on a daily basis. Such methods may include yoga, meditation, simple relaxation therapy, etc. According to TCM, stress, frustration and unresolved anger can work together to throw your immune system off, allowing pathogens to affect your body.
Build Up Your Protective Qi
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can prevent colds and flu by building up the immune system with just a few needles inserted into key points along the body's energy pathways. These points are known for strengthening the circulation of blood and energy and for consolidating the outer defense layers of the skin and muscle so that germs and viruses cannot enter through them. Seasonal acupuncture treatments just four times a year also serve to tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems.
Foods for Winter:
Winter is a time when many people tend to reduce their activity. If that's true for you, it's wise to reduce the amount of food you eat, too, to avoid gaining weight unnecessarily. Avoid raw foods during the winter as much as possible, as these tend to cool the body. During winter you should emphasize warming foods:
* Soups and stews
* Root vegetables
* Beans
* Miso and seaweed
* Garlic and ginger
Seasonal changes affect the body's environment. With the wind, rain, and snow comes the colds, flu, aches and pains. Here are a few tips to staying healthy this winter:
* Wash your hands regularly. Studies have shown that one of the main reasons that we catch colds and flu in the winter season is that we are indoors and in closer proximity to others in cold weather. Protect yourself by washing your hands regularly and try not to touch your face.
* Get plenty of sleep. An ancient Chinese classic, advised people to go to sleep early and rise late, after the sun's rays have warmed the atmosphere a bit. This preserves your own yang Qi for the task of warming in the face of cold.
* Reduce stress. Find a way to relax and release stress on a daily basis. Such methods may include yoga, meditation, simple relaxation therapy, etc. According to TCM, stress, frustration and unresolved anger can work together to throw your immune system off, allowing pathogens to affect your body.
Build Up Your Protective Qi
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can prevent colds and flu by building up the immune system with just a few needles inserted into key points along the body's energy pathways. These points are known for strengthening the circulation of blood and energy and for consolidating the outer defense layers of the skin and muscle so that germs and viruses cannot enter through them. Seasonal acupuncture treatments just four times a year also serve to tonify the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems.
Foods for Winter:
Winter is a time when many people tend to reduce their activity. If that's true for you, it's wise to reduce the amount of food you eat, too, to avoid gaining weight unnecessarily. Avoid raw foods during the winter as much as possible, as these tend to cool the body. During winter you should emphasize warming foods:
* Soups and stews
* Root vegetables
* Beans
* Miso and seaweed
* Garlic and ginger
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