Winter
Winter
Element: Water
Organ: Kidneys
Sense: Hearing
Emotion: Fear
Color: Black
Organ Taste: Salty
Seasonal Taste: Bitter
Time of day: 5–7 p.m.
Duration
November marks officially the start of Winter. This means shorter days, long dark nights, and also the beginning of festive season. While Winter might not be your favourite season and all you can think of are long hot summer days, Winter season can be very rejuvenating and a peaceful time when supported with the right nutrition and practices.
Winter Season is the strongest Yin season, meaning that our energy tends to go inside, much like how nature goes into hibernation mode during the cold, dark months. In Chinese Medicine, Winter is associated with the Kidneys and Bladder.
Winter is all about nourishment, hibernation and the act to conserve your energy. It’s the perfect time for small interior gatherings, contemplation and reserve your emotions. Furthermore, this is the time of the year where we can restore and recovery our energy so when Spring starts, our battery full.
Theme
The element of this transitional season is Water, which represents Fear.
Signs of Healthy Kidneys
Warm Feet
Determination
Possess little fear
Signs of Kidneys’ Imbalance
Forgetfulness
Low mood
Excessive fear
Lethargy
Urinary issues
Fertility Problems
Menopausal symptoms
Low Libido
Hearing Issues
Low back pain
Cold limbs and feet
What to do
It’s a time to hibernate and reflect on what drains or fills our energy and resources, so you know how to start the year during the season of Spring.
Activities
Slowly Introduce:
Calming meditation & Mindfulness practices
Gentler Exercise: Yoga, Pilates, Power Balance.
Breathwork exercises
Foot Soak Bath
Warm Baths
Go to bed early and wake late
Keep your body warm
Extra Sleep
Mindset
Save your emotions: this is not the time to express strong emotions, since it drains your energy, depleting the Kidneys as a result.
Reflect on what drains or fills our energy and resources
Uphold limits/boundaries
Just relax
Food
Rule of thumb - To prevent any illness during the season we introduce the flavour associated with the season. If we feel that the organ correspondent to the season is out of balance then we introduce the flavour associated to that organ, to balance it again.
Nourish your kidneys with with nutritive bitter, and salty foods like miso soup, soy sauce, seaweed, black beans, chestnuts, walnuts, bone broth, lamb, black sesame seeds, turnip, roasted root vegetables.
This is the perfect time for long stews, soups, teas and warm spices.
What not to do
Cold foods
Avoid eating too much to not cause digestive problems
Do not start new projects
Restore, rest and nourish your energy and explore these Winter Recipes
✨ Own Your Energy✨