Winter…energy and Eastern wisdom

Winter is a time to slow down and conserve energy, but who actually does? We are given all the signs, like shorter days, darkness, colder and wetter weather. But due to busy lifestyles and work we keep going. This can have a negative impact on our health and our kidney energy, as this is time slow down.   

Supporting our kidneys with foods such as nettles, dandelion, root vegetables like carrots, beetroot and swede, are thought to be supportive according to Chinese medicine. They are also good for our gut health too as they provide fibre and hydration.

Finding ways to slow down and taking time out, by having 30mins spent on your own, or having a relaxing bath before bed or before your day starts, saying no to commitments or work, setting boundaries. What could you do to create a little calm and space for yourself, in realistic terms?

Food to support you during winter
A generally rule of thumb is to include mostly warm and cooked foods, and limit cold and raw foods. Use warming spices like garlic, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom. 

Mostly we are drawn to these foods as the colder darker days draw in, and I certainly crave them for comfort. Stews, soups, risottos and toasted sandwiches are staples in my house.

If your kidney energy is out of balance you may experience symptoms like headaches, ear issues,  lower back issues, inner knee issues, bladder problems or foot problems.  The kidney meridian follows a line from the top of your head, ears, neck down to the kidney, bladder inner thigh, knee all the way down to the big toes.  Perhaps gout is more a kidney issue than anything else?  But any of these areas can be linked to poor kidney energy.  In functional medicine or nutrition, which is what I practice, we would consider these symptoms as adrenal dysregulation and we could be working on improving symptoms like tinnitus, vertigo, headaches and injuries by supporting the adrenal glands, which coincidentally sit onto of the kidneys. Focusing on a diet to support kidney energy is not dissimilar to supporting adrenal health using functional medicine. Its all about finding balance and calm.

Book a free discovery call

Here’s how we support the adrenals/kidney energy

Managing stress is key. Stress will imbalance minerals like sodium and potassium, which we need for hydration (kidneys)

Mineral rich diet using seafood, root vegetables and warming spices and herbs, all good at improving mineral balance and hydration

Sleep, improving a restful sleep by keeping blood sugar levels more even during the day, protein is key for keeping our bodies balanced.

Bedtime snack: Oatcake with almond butter and homemade cherry chia jam, with a small shot of bedtime tea with valerian.