Winter Wellness
9 simple tips for surviving and thriving through Winter.
Blessed with sunny winter days and chilly mornings with frost in the garden, how do we take care of ourselves through the dark season? The tendency can be towards stagnation, heavier foods, less fresh air, less exercise and in this particular year quite a few new stresses - financial or otherwise.
Firstly I recommend both honouring and acknowledging the natural cycle of our planet and seasons, be present with these changes so that your physical and energy body is aligned. We have just had the winter solstice, June 21st, the shortest day of our year with a new moon, quite a collision of all things astrological if you are into that sort of thing.
And now the moon is emerging and showing itself as we crawl our way back to the light as day by day our sunset is a minute later. But here in Canberra we know that we are a long way from warmer weather.
So here are a few, simple practices which will help maintain your health and wellness.
Sleep, adequate sleep, the sun is setting earlier so you should follow the lead of mother nature and align your body rhythms (ensure you go to bed without screens)
Continue to exercise - adjust your exercise routine for the season but maintain some activity outdoors, walking, running, bike rides and breathing fresh air into your lungs
Follow the foods of the season, slow cooked stews with root vegetables, stewed fruits. But as we are not as active and maybe in hibernation mode, remind yourself that we really don’t need the same quantity of foods, this is how a feeling of heaviness can creep up if we are not mindful
Maintain or implement your personal mindful and stress relieving practices. 2020 has been a year of upheaval. What do you do to look after yourself and remain grounded? Is it walking, meditation, crafting, yoga, reading. It doesn’t matter what it is, what matters is that it is your own personal practice. Start small, start anywhere, in any way, just do it.
The above practices help to maintain your wellness and are preventative. But sometimes even with our best intentions to stay well we can be struck down with a virus to various degrees. So, what next?
REST. Much easier this year as we are sent home from our workplaces and school even with a sniffly nose. Rest allows the body and immune system to go to work.
Don't overload your digestive system and body with extra work. Cut out the coffee, alcohol, stimulants, sugary processed foods, heavy protein foods. There is a reason for the traditional chicken broth soups given during illness - a soup such as this is easily digested and provides proteins for the immune system to fight the battles, heal and repair.
Incorporate fresh vitamin sources - fresh squeezed juices full of antioxidants and nutrients supporting the immune system function, fresh cut citrus.
Allow the natural immune response to occur, fever is the heat created to shut down the pathogens, fever should always be monitored and managed safely, and supported to allow the fever to do it’s purpose.
Support your immune system through the illness with the nutrients it needs for a speedy recovery. Proven therapeutic supplements, especially vitamin A and C and mineral Zinc, and herbal medicines available in clinic support your immune system and not suppress the symptoms. These medicines will assist your body to win the battle against the invading pathogen. Naturopathic tonics, syrups and elixirs can provide relief from the symptoms - painful throat infections, heavy head cold relief, relentless chesty coughs.
Try The Bomb, a favourite of many - homemade honey, ginger, lemon and turmeric drink for head cold relief! Even the kids love it.
Even as I sit here and write this I realise I need to check in with a few of my own tips… get myself back on track. I hope you find your way back too if needed. We will get there; the warmer weather will come, it always does, that is the beauty of our wonderful world….
Be Well
Renae x