With the passing of the harvest season, and the commencement of winter, we reap nature’s bounty and then begin to store our goods. As we see all throughout nature, plants lay dormant. They use their underground root system to store creative energy, thus protecting their vital essence from harsh winter elements. The sap within a tree descends downward from the crown, to its underground storage centers. Trees lose their leaves and growth ceases. Like the advent of old age, when signs of grey appear in our hair, Mother Nature’s color takes on a grey hue as winter approaches. We begin to see decline in all things. It is part of the natural process, so that new life can emerge and be reborn in spring.

We, like Mother Nature, will feel energy descending downward. We feel less energetic, and even some temporary mental decline, as the energy moves down to our own root system that Chinese Medicine calls the “kidney”. The kidney is nature’s water element within. It is where our reserves are stored. This is where all life begins. It is from the water that we all emerge into the world, and where vital energy will return each Winter season for storage. During this water element season we feel the energetic qualities of water. Water runs downward, so we feel down. Water is also reflective. Being in harmony with the water element energy, we too reflect. Winter has a way of helping us to look backwards to gain insights on how to move forwards. We conjure up old memories during these snowy quiet days. We think about past holidays, those who have passed on, and old friends separated by time and distance. We pull out old picture albums, and experience sentimentality while internal waters flow from our eyes.

We tend to have more discomfort during this season. It is the season of longer nights and shorter days. Darkness abounds. In a metaphorical sense, because of the darkness, we experience the fears of uncertainty and the unknown. We feel more blue, and isolative. Just like the animals, we want to hibernate. This state of being is the “Seasonal Affective Order”. It is the natural order of things. When there is less sunlight, there is less Vitamin D. When we have less Vitamin D we are more subject to those blues and discomforts.

The Winter season is about conserving and storing energy, so that come Spring, there will be a bounty of reserves to help create new growth. In terms of human health, this means preserving one’s own internal resources by economizing on the expenditure of energy during the season of winter. Put simply, strenuous activities or exercise should be curtailed. Ideally, we should be following the laws of nature by being down when the sun goes down. We don’t necessarily need to be in bed by that time, but should be winding down, preferably in a restful state by dusk.

The beauty of Chinese Medicine is that its principles are based on natural, physical laws. If we observe Mother Nature closely, and learn how to stay in harmony with her Yin and Yang Energies we will remain healthy. Be a good observer this winter.

Enjoy the quiet, the serenity and solitude of this season, and learn the lessons.

For further information contact The Maryland Center For Integrative Medicine, 658 Kenilworth Drive Suite 206, Towson 21204. Phone 410-828-3585.

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The Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine | 410-828-3585 | info@mcim.org | 658 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 206 Baltimore, MD 21204

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