With ever changing weather this winter, it is essential to protect yourself from the elements. In Chinese medicine, the weather can affect your health. Other cultures, like Mexico, Greece, and Korea (to name a few), agree. In western medicine, somehow the influence of weather on our health did not carry over. The exceptions in western medicine seem to lie in extremes such as heat stroke and hypothermia.
In Chinese medicine, cold can detrimentally impact your health by lodging itself in your muscles and possibly working its way even deeper in the body. An example of a cold symptom is pain or arthritis that feels worse when it is cold outside. Cold is a such a big deal in Chinese medicine that an entire school of thought is devoted to treating diseases originating from the cold (called Shang Han Lun).
Here are some tips you can do now to ensure your health goes unscathed by the cold:
1. Bundle up. No matter how warm you think it might be. (Although 30 degrees is enticing, it isn’t warm enough for shorts and flip flops). Neck, hands, feet and head covered. Check.
2. Eat soups and stews. These will help keep you warm and also help your spleen and stomach digest. Toss in some extra vegetables and you’re all set.
3. Take some time to relax. Winter is a time for conservation and storage–a perfect time to enjoy some you time. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read. Enjoy your favorite tea under a cozy blanket. Do something–anything for yourself today.
As the foundational book of Chinese Medicine, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine (Huang di NeijIng Suwen) suggests: Take care of your health in the winter, and it will help your health in the spring.
For seasonal advice, check out the article Tips for Staying Healthy During Winter.