Almost a month into this new year, and an emotional theme from the past 10 months remains; fear. Fear of an invisible virus, the future of small businesses, the great divide of thought between our country’s population, even talks of a civil war. Though 2021 commenced with great hope for renewal and change, we were quickly greeted with the reality of oppositional truths. An insurrection on our nation’s capital, a slow rollout of the long-awaited vaccine as we’ve reached a new devastating milestone in deaths, and further delays in financial relief and support for small businesses and individuals, as more file for unemployment. These challenging times are testing all that we have learned to rely on for stability, comfort, and joy; they are forcing us to embrace fear.

It is so important, more than ever, to lean into self care practices that bring us moments of peace, that ground us; even if it seems like these practices can’t possibly match up to levels of stress we’re currently enduring. Why?

Because it reflects our own ability to cope, to survive, to endure; this feeds our hope, and hope is what controls fear.

The winter season in TCM is governed by Yin; which in nature is all that is cold, dark, reflective, and turning inward. The organ of winter is the Kidneys, our deepest source of vital energy for our mind, body and spirit. Our kidneys hold the fuel reserves for many essential functions; metabolism, reproduction, temperature regulation, daily management and balancing of our energy levels, and in the TCM realm, they govern fear. Atop the kidneys sit the adrenal glands, which release cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine in response to stressful and fearful situations. Ever wonder why getting “cold feet” or knee buckling, or even uncontrollable urination is a response to fear? It’s your kidney qi descending, dispersing, and failing to control body fluids in response. 

Fear, though considered a negative emotion, is completely natural, and at times necessary. It shows humility, and if willing, can inspire you to learn something new. We often fear what we do not know or understand; what hides in the dark, what risks lie ahead, etc. Allow your mind some space from the noise to lean into & embrace these fears, get to know them, get comfortable with them. It’s hard to be afraid of something that’s familiar.

So, how does one use this information to help during scary times such as these? 

Actively practice clearing your mind~

Turn off the news, put your phone down, close your laptop, turn off your TV. ‘Tis the season to turn inward (to yourself) and reflect, and sometimes nothing can seem scarier. This is important for 2 distinct reasons: 

• A racing mind full of worry and anxiety has the same effect on our adrenals as a stressful situation (the modern day run from a bear if you will) by continuously releasing hormones appropriate for fight-or-flight. Over time our system becomes completely exhausted, adrenal fatigue sets in, causing intense tiredness and muscles weakness, low appetite and weight loss, stomach pain and nausea, depression and chronic anxiety. 
• Meditation can be done by sitting in quiet, or sometimes more easily it is approached through movement. Take a walk without your phone and feel how each step grounds you to the earth. Focus on your breath by timing it with your steps, 2 steps inhaling + 2 steps exhaling, working your way up to longer inhales & exhales. Take note of how the air feels against your face; is the sun out and bringing warmth? Or is there a brisk breeze tingling your cheeks?
  • With all meditation: do not fault yourself for being interrupted by thoughts. Imagine yourself sitting on a riverbank, and observe your thoughts as they flow; they come into view, then they pass you by, allowing you to refocus on your breath.

Nourish your kidney energy during these winter months to balance the needs of the season. 

• Eating warm, moisture-rich foods that are easy to digest; soups, stews, oatmeal/porridge, meats cooked in liquid, salty foods from the sea (fish, clams, seaweed) and black foods such as black rice, black beans, black sesame seeds, molasses. 
• Rest rest rest: take advantage of the shorter days and go to sleep earlier, finish your day in bed with a book instead of a screen. Think of this as filling up our fuel reserves that we like to use extra of during the warmer months.
• Stay warm! Between the kidneys lies the Mingmen Fire, or Gate of Life; our energetic source of yang qi, our life spark; that is responsible for reproduction, brain power, digestive fire, our beating heart and blood circulation, our breath inspiration and expiration. This fire naturally declines with old age and a stressful, draining lifestyle, so it is important to preserve its health and vitality. Focus on wearing extra layers around your core during the colder months.
• Receive acupuncture :: regular acupuncture treatments tonify our kidneys, reduce stress and anxiety, promote healthier sleep, and improve appetite & digestion, all in helping preserve and nourish our vital energy.
• Keep moving your body, gently. Bundle up and go for walks on a nice sunny day,

We fear what we do not know or understand; by getting to know yourself and your needs, you eliminate the fear of not knowing what’s best for you. Also, it feels good to nurture yourself. We’ve all been through a lot this year; all of us deserve to feel cared for. 

Read more about the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine here. Book yourself for some winter self care today!