WINTER WELLNESS TIPS

Winter is the season for recharging our batteries. In Chinese Medicine, these batteries are the organs Kidneys and Bladder, storing energy for the Spring and Summer to come. During treatments we are often checking your pulse to feel your how your kidneys and bladder, gauging how the “battery levels” are doing. 

In Chinese Medicine, the kidneys store vital life energy. They also influence reproduction, brain, bone health fluid secretions and the emotions like anxiety, fear and courage. When the kidneys are overworked we see symptoms such as anxiety, infertility, adrenal or chronic fatigue, low back pain, weak knees, urination issues and others.
Some examples of balanced Kidneys and Bladder is when you:

• Have will-power
• Can manage your stress levels
• Are fertile and have a healthy, balanced sex life
• Get quality, regular sleep
• Have healthy brain function
• Have a strong and stable back and knees

The main causes of Kidneys and Bladder imbalances are stress and overactivity. Other things that tax them are drugs, too much alcohol, poor food quality or eating habits, overwork, too much physical activity, and lack of sleep and relaxation.

With the colder weather and darker nights, winter is the best time to slow down and refrain from too much activity, sleep more, eat more and get to know yourself better to replenish and nourish that vital energy.

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​3 WINTER WELLNESS TIPS TO STIMULATE YOUR KIDNEYS AND BLADDER

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1. Simply sit or lie down quietly. Find a place free of distraction, even if its for a 1 minute. Take long, deep breaths in and out your nose or sigh out the mouth. Build up to at least 5 minutes. Do this everyday.
2. Keep your low back and abdomen warm. Place a hot water bottle on your back or feet before bed. This is good if you have back pain or a tendency to have cold hands and feet.
3. Enjoy cooked, warm nourishing foods and warm teas that are already broken down and easily absorbed by your body. Avoid eating cold and raw food or drinking lots of cold fluids that require more of your body’s energy to process and digest.