During the winter, it is natural to feel a little sleepier, slower and possibly less motivated. Our Jing Qi determines our internal battery in the winter.
Why Do We Need More Sleep In The Winter?
It’s the season of stillness and conservation. It’s a period of hibernation and our time to rest, slow down and revitalize our reserves. Winter is a great time of year to reflect on our health and replenish our energy. Conserve our strength int he winter and heal on a deeper level.
According to the traditional theories of the Five Elements, Water is the element that is associated with Winter and with the Kidneys, Bladder and Adrenal Glands. Our Kidneys are extremely important organs that have various functions–the main one is that they store our inherited constitution, also known as our Source Energy or Jing Qi. Consider it your body’s internal battery.
Jing Qi- the Internal Battery
Internal Kidney batteries are powered up with a supply of energy. It will carry and sustain a body throughout lives. This power supply is passed down from parents. It provides us with the energy for all of our bodily functions.
It is believed that every action depletes energy from this power supply. Some people quickly deplete their Jing Qi; others preserve it. Jing Qi is finite, so if not protected, it will be easily wasted. Eventually when it becomes depleted, symptoms and signs may appear.
How To Boost Jing Qi
During the winter, it is important to conserve our battery reserves. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter–rest, reflection, conservation and storage. The “downtime” that winter provides, gives us an opportunity to slow down, check in, take account as to how our life-style supports or detracts from our health, and to recharge our battery.
As for getting some exercise, it is always healthy to get some form of it daily, but during the winter months, it is best to participate in gentler, less exerting exercise, such as, yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, swimming, walking, and other low impact sports. Save the extreme exertion activities for the spring and summer months.
Boosting Jing Qi with herbs is also recommended. New to herbs? Start with an herbal chocolate treat like Chi Chi Chocolates Change bar which has herbs for Water, Winter and Kidneys.
“During the winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, Just as lakes and rivers freeze and snow falls…Retire early and get up with the sunrise, which is later in winter. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the pores closed. Avoid sweating. The philosophy of the winter is one of conservation and storage. Without such a practice the result would injure the Kidney energy (and Jing Qi).”
