Winter is here!

As the seasons change, we have entered 立冬 (Li Dong) on November 7th. 立冬, Li Dong, is the first day of Winter on the Chinese 24 Season Calendar.

Under Chinese Medicine philosophy, it is vital for mankind to synchronise with the changes in the Universe to prevent unexpected illnesses. Winter is the best time to rest, rejuvenate, and secure the Essence.

Three months of winter calls for closing, hiding, and securing. Water will become ice, and Earth will be hard and cold. Universal Yang Qi has descended and gone into storage. It is not the time to create any disturbance in Yang Qi. To cope with this Season, it is recommended to sleep early and to sleep in. It is better to wait for sunrise to start daily activities. Your mind should also go into power-saving mode, and hold on and not act on any excess desires. Stay away from coldness and maintain warmth. Protect your skin surface to prevent loss of Yang Qi. This is the general principle of 養藏 (Yang Cang), the strategy to cultivate Essence Reserve.

--Translated from Huang Di Nei Jing Chapter 2--

Preserve the Essence, hibernate during winter!

Winter is the time to secure and organise our Essence that has been collected throughout the year, from the Spring till now. The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) organ Kidney holds the Element of Water. It is responsible for storing and securing Essence. This Essence, or Energy, Reserve will be crucial for our body to rise up again in next year's Spring. Huang Di Nei Jing says: "逆之則傷腎，春為痿厥，奉生者少." This translates to: 'If we do not have enough Essence Reserve, or have prematurely depleted our Essence during the Winter, it is more likely to experience illness and a loss of potential energy to cultivate life in next year.'

Methods of self care during 立冬 (Li Dong):

• Maintaining warmth, stay bundled up. Cover exposed skin to prevent cold invasion. Make sure to especially cover the legs and the neck area (invest in some snazzy, matching pans and neck wear)!

• Be thankful. Review and appreciate what you have accomplished this year. Acknowledge the work you have done. Thank those who have helped you, forgive those who have wronged you.

• Organise your thoughts. Hold on to any new ideas and plans; wait till the right time moment to execute those ideas and plans.

• Maintain your Essence. Winter is the time of storage, avoid activities that are too strenuous. Let go of anger, as it becomes stored in your essence. Avoid strenuous physical activity, this includes excessive exercise/sweating and excessive sexual activity. Avoid spicy food, spicy food vents up and outwards, the goal of maintain essence is to store (especially down and inwards).