Replenish Your Jing

Now that we’re more than half way through winter, how are you? Have you taken quality time for yourself? Winter is the most yin time of the year with its darker, colder and shorter days, and it is the most ideal time to lay low and nourish yourself.

Why is it so important to find stillness and contentment in winter?

In Chinese Medicine, winter is the season of the water element and the associated organ systems are the Kidneys and Bladder. The Kidneys play a special role in Chinese Medicine because they store our essence of life or Jing. Jing along with Qi (life force energy) and Shen (mind and spirit) make up the Three Treasures of longevity.

Jing is the source of energy for our vitality and reproduction. We are born with our Jing, but we also have the ability (to a certain extent) to maintain and replenish it.

One way to do this is by supporting and strengthening our Kidneys and water element with:
💧Rest
💧Regulate the nervous system through meditation, yin yoga, and/or connecting with others
💧Find contentment in all aspects of your life
💧Eat foods that nourish the Kidneys: fish, seaweed, miso, root veggies, mushrooms, dark leafy greens, black beans, kidney beans, almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds
💧Take epsom and sea salt baths infused with essential oils that nourish the Kidneys, ie jasmine, sandlewood.

Rest, nourish and savor in this sweetness for a bit longer before the excitement of spring energy blossoms!

If you’re looking for extra support this season, schedule an acupuncture, NST or health coaching session.