5 Easy Ways to Stay Healthy and Happy During Winter
It’s been sooooooooooooooo cooooooooold in NYC! Over the past week, the high has been in the 20s and the low in the single digits. We are in the middle of winter, and it’s a great time to stay inside, to stay warm, to rest and to warm your heart.
The legendary Yellow Emperor, considered to be the founder of traditional Chinese Medicine, states in his ancient text The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine: In winter all is hidden. Winter is the season of retirement into depth, because of the cold outside. At this time you must not disturb or disperse the yang (fire, active) energy so that you can allow the yin reserves to be re-established within you.
So, this is a great time to re-establish self care strategies, which nourish your body and soul!
YOU HAVE PERMISSION, AND IT WILL BENEFIT YOU TO REST! It’s appropriate for this time of year.
- Take the time to Re-Charge. Give in to your desire to sleep more. Winter is nature’s season for rest, repair, and regeneration—a phase important for our next cycle of growth. Winter comes right before Spring, which is the season of growth. It is important to replenish our reserves, so we will have the energy to grow with all the roots and flowers in Spring. Like the seed that cannot sprout until it has gathered sufficient strength, our ideas and plans cannot manifest with strength if our energy is dispersed or drained.
INVEST IN YOURSELF AND TAKE THE TIME TO READ, REFLECT and TO DREAM!
- Schedule more time for yourself. Use the energy of the season to discover more about yourself and what you want through reflection, reading literature that “restores the spirit,” being more aware of your senses and paying attention to your dreams. Taking this time to refill your inner reserves of inspiration will give you the courage and strength of will to grow in months that lie ahead. If we lack these reserves, we are more likely to fall prey to the emotion that the Chinese for over 5000 years have associated with the Winter/Water element: FEAR. Fear in appropriate amounts is, of course, essential; due care and caution in recognizing our limitations preserves life and keeps us out of trouble. A common emotional imbalance in Winter/Water months is an exaggerated fear of not having enough of what it takes to meet the challenge that lies ahead: fear of being unable to complete what we’ve envisioned, fear of being inadequately prepared for what we might have to face. It’s as if we don’t have enough stored away to survive the winter. So, take the time to read, ponder and to dream right now! It will fuel your sails for the rest of the year! Come spend an entire day doing just this, exploring your dream on Jan 31st at The Vision Board Day Workshop! Today is the last day for the early bird discount!
ENJOY EATING WARMING, YUMMY FOODS AND DRINK MORE WATER!
Nourish Yourself Well: As the weather cools and the body needs to generate more warmth, nourish yourself with warm food and drink lots of water; winter sucks the moisture out of your body. It is very important to hydrate by drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of fresh water daily. My dog has been drinking 2xs the amount of water he usually does, because it’s been so dry. Eat warming foods such as small amounts of meat or fish protein, whole grains, squashes, beans, peas, and root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and garlic. If you are a vegetarian, eat more beans, nuts, and tempeh.
“GATHER AROUND THE HEARTH” and “LISTEN TO YOUR HEART”
- Take the time to be with people who mean the most to you. Winter evenings are an especially good time to rejuvenate and deepen relationships with the people with whom you feel close. Keep gatherings simple and relaxed. And, listen to what others have to say and listen to your heart. This is a time of receiving, not doing. So, take this time to hear what your friends and family have to say, and notice how you feel when you are with them without judgement.
WRAP UP AND STAY COZY!
- Keep Warm: Prepare for the weather, and dress accordingly. The neck and shoulder areas contain points Chinese Medicine calls the “Wind” points through which pathogens can enter, so keep these areas protected; wear a scarf and keep your neck covered, and check out the exercise in the video below to keep these points closed. Do this if you feel chilled or if you feel like you may be getting a cold.
I do this a few times a day to ward off the cold and the potential sniffles that come with it. There are a few points on the back of your neck and shoulders, which have a tendency to carry the cold into our bodies making us more succeptable to sickness. Tending to these points is a good way to prevent getting sick, and it will help keep you warm too.
Check it out and let me know how you do.
May you actually enjoy winter by getting cozy with the tips above.
Much warmth, inspiration and love,
Lara
Spend an entire day making an inspired plan to make your dreams come true! The effects of this one day workshop will be ongoing, as you work the fun and unique plan we create for each of you!
Make an investment in your dreams that will fuel your actions and success throughout your entire year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Solidify your dream vision for 2015, on
VISION BOARD DAY on Jan 31st!
It’s going to be a fun filled day of discovering what your dream looks, feels and sounds like!
The number one secret to harnessing the power of The Law of attraction is to know that The Law of Attraction works with your energetic vibration, NOT your words. So, for it to work you must FEEL the feelings associated with HAVING the thing you desire. It is never enough to simply say what you want consciously. You must feel it is possible with every ounce of your being.
