Balance Your Water Element to Stay Well This Winter
Winter can be a challenging time for many, often marked by colds, flu, and even seasonal depression as our water element gets out of balance. We can help keep ourselves strong and healthy by observing the Chinese 5 Element Theory!
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches us there is a season associated with each element: Spring is Wood, Summer is Fire, Late Summer is Earth, Autumn is Metal, and Winter is Water. Each Element includes 2-4 meridian systems. Water is the element associated with Winter, which includes the bladder and kidney meridians.
Winter is a time for restoration, rejuvenation, reflection, containment, concentration and storing energy to prepare for the year to come. Abundant reserves within us provide courage and strength. Lack of reserves can manifest in negative emotions that drain our energy and compromise our immune systems.
If we listen closely to our body’s needs during the winter months, we meet spring with restored energy, insight, clear vision, optimism, and a sense of purpose!
Balancing your water element in winter
Get more rest. I usually sleep 7 ¼ hours most nights, and take a 10 minute nap during the day.
Choose more “warming” foods. According to Chinese Medicine, many foods contain “warming” energy, which are perfect for winter. Try dishes made with whole grains, squashes, beans, peas, and root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and garlic. I love to make soups in winter. My favorite is chicken soup with curry seasoning and coconut milk, topped with green onion chives and cilantro. Wild Rice soup is another all-time favorite of mine for winter!
Schedule time for reflection.
Drink plenty of water. I often fill up 3-4 quart-size jars of purified water in the morning then put them on my counter to remind myself during the day to keep drinking. I love any citrus essential oil in my water. Most often I use lime oil.
Exercise. I try to walk a mile, 3-4 times a week. On super cold days, I stay inside and jump on my rebounder or do floor exercises.
Read, journal, and reflect. I spend time every morning reading, journaling, praying, reflecting, reviewing my goals and speaking aloud several daily affirmations.
Say affirmations for winter. I say my affirmations while doing cross crawl marching in place. As the body moves, the brain groves. Sometimes I rub my 3 switching-on points while speaking affirmations. You’ll learn the 3 switching-on points in our workshops; they enhance brain & body communication for deeper connections. You can also read about them here. Sometimes I hold my Emotional Stress Release (ESR) points on my forehead while visualizing the affirmations, too.
Affirmations
Here are a few affirmations you can focus on. These are all associated with balancing the Water element.
- I have confidence and am in charge of my own life.
- I joyfully choose to be fully present and show up for my life.
- I am peaceful and have good inner direction.
- I have all the courage and confidence I need to move forward.
- I step into my power with wisdom, assurance and ease.
- I easily retreat into myself to recharge.
- I am a wise and patient person with myself and others.
- I use my resources wisely.
If you’d like to learn 5 techniques to help balance the emotions associated with the rest of your meridians, download my free e-book on releasing negative emotions. Once downloaded, you’ll receive a word list and metaphor questions associated with each meridian. (To use this free resource for balancing your Water Element, focus on the bladder and kidney meridians.)
PS — Take advantage of my special introductory offer!
During February, I am offering 50%-off one 90-minute Specialized Kinesiology balancing session. Contact me to inquire!
