8 Tips for Winter Wellness
At DimensionL Wellbeing, we understand that everyone has their own unique path to wellness and happiness. We support that journey through education and fundamental understanding of the inner and outer influences over ones’ wellbeing. We believe that you (ie. human being) are healthiest when living in concert with nature.
Energetically speaking. The more ‘in sync’ with our environment the greater state of coherence we are in, which means we are one big resonant wave, as opposed to a bunch of chaotic energy. We are healthiest when we manage our energy best, which is much harder to do in a state of incoherence, or chaos.
Understanding the 5 universal elements and their effects on the seasons teaches us a lot about our own wellbeing. We are also made up of the 5 universal elements. Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine and Quantum Medicine are all systems which rely on the elements as fundamental to understanding human health.
Now that we have set the theoretical stage, let’s get more practical! Please continue to read as we share 8 Tips to Winter Wellness.
8 Tips for Winter Wellness
Keep your neck, feet and head warm. This means wearing socks when in your home. Wearing a scarf and hat when going out into the cold. Winter is a time where we have stored up energy and heat the entire year. So the goal is to not disturb or disperse the stored fire in the body.
Drink warm liquids throughout the day. This is a wonderful way to keep the internal fire stoked. Think herbal teas, bone broths and ciders.
Warming foods and spices. You can add these to your food and warm beverages. These foods and spices will support the internal fire that has been stored up throughout the year.
Prioritize Rest. Think of the bear who stores up his food in order to hibernate for the winter. We too are one with nature and in the winter our bounty is dependent on what we have stored up all year. Since our energy may be lower and limited, rest needs to be a priority so that we do not use up our energy reserves. Consider sleeping in a little later or going to bed earlier. If it works for you, maybe even a short nap during the day!
Carve out time for introspection and deep listening. Winter is represented by the element of water, which is a yin element. Yin represents the feminine aspects of nature, which includes receptivity. If we move through life without slowing down and tuning in, we may be living a version of reality that is not true to who we are. This requires getting out of your head and into your body. Some of my favorite ways to listen deeply and get into the body, include (but not limited to); journaling, free writing, dance, yoga, meditation, somatic awareness and practices.
Supercharge Hydration: As humans we are made of 70%+ water. We often do not consider how the quality of water affects our internal water source. If your water is contaminated with inorganic minerals, prescription medications, chlorine, PFA’s, harsh acids (I could go on) you better believe the water residing in and around your cells will not be pristine. In fact, you may be drinking ample amounts of water and yet still be dehydrated. Contaminated water might be to blame, as it makes it more difficult to enter the cells when it is not in the form our body can easily utilize. Our bodies are so wise. They protect us at all costs. Some of my favorite tools for improving my water quality includes; distillation and Live Pristine water purifier. It is important to start where you are. If you cannot afford a filter, start with getting clean water - even if that means buying it at the store. Next, ensuring your water is properly mineralized enhances the absorption rate of your cells. I personally use, and stock, CT-Minerals by CellCore as well as Quinton minerals. If you want to be extra on the wellness, like me, you might also consider restructuring your water and vortexing it as well. And a practice that is absolutely free is praying over your water or adding an affirmation or crystals. Everything that exists in this Universe has an unique frequency pattern, this includes prayers and affirmations. And water is an incredible conductor. I cannot emphasize enough that the very first step is having access to clean water (aka not tap or most bottled waters).
Enjoy the sunrise + sunset. Have I mentioned enough that winter is a time for managing your energy? It is difficult to ‘gain’ more energy during this time, rather we are living off our reserves. According to Einstein, “Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.” I have found we most easily utilize and transmute energy when we are in cooperation to what is happening in and around us, like understanding the energy of each season and encouraging your lifestyle to move with the energy rather than against it. Unfortunately the current society we live in supports and encourages living OUT of harmony with nature. Which is why despite having much more technology and information at our disposal, we are the sickest we have been in a very long time - many many adults (and even children now) live with debilitating chronic diseases. One of the quickest ways to restore health is to reset your own rhythms to be in tune with natures. Our circadian rhythm governs many bodily processes and our current way of living may have these rhythms completely out of whack. Getting up to witness the sunrise and enjoying the sunset helps to reset these circadian rhythms, which you can read more about below.
Hold off on New Year’s Resolutions. The energy is more ripe for this in the spring. For now, consider spending more time in retrospection to get clear on what your deepest desires are, not just for what fruit they will bare but also how you will feel in these accomplishments. Thoughts are of the mind and feelings are of the body.
BONUS:
My favorite self-care tools for winter to stay energized and well: red light therapy, vitamin d lamp, yoga nidra, yin yoga, warm baths, castor oil packs (especially on my kidneys), self massage (especially on my back and belly).
