Ah, the holidays…
As winter approaches, many of us begin our holiday traditions of scurrying around, shopping, decorating, wrapping, celebrating, shopping, traveling, entertaining… And did I say shopping?
Amidst this hustle and bustle, it is easy to overlook the true essence of winter, which is about deep stillness, quieting our minds, and restoring our energy. Ideally, this is the time of year to draw our proverbial sap back down to our roots, and begin to rebuild our stores for warmer months ahead.
No matter what your holiday practices are, here are a few simple exercises to help us live in accordance with the season…
1. Ward off winter’s chill with warming and “damp-clearing” foods, such as winter squash, sweet potatoes, kohlrabi, rutabaga, onion and garlic. Heap on the dark leafy greens like kale, Swiss chard, collards and beet greens (there is a reason these hearty plants can survive through the winter). Concentrated protein foods (either animal or plant-derived) will also help you keep your head clear, and your feet on the ground, throughout the winter season.
2. Take time for moments of silence, even if they are fleeting. Find a quiet space (if you can) and simply focus your attention on your feet or lower abdomen while taking slow, relaxed breaths. This will help you feel more grounded and present. Even a couple of minutes can make a difference!
3. Sleep. We can learn a lot from our four-legged friends. For those of you who live with pets, have ever noticed how they sleep even more during these shorter days? According to Chinese medicine, this is exactly what we should be doing to restore and replenish our energy throughout the winter months. So consider following their example, and take more time to sleep and rest!
Hopefully these simple tips will help you all find a little of your own “Peace on Earth”.
{ 0 comments }
