Embrace Warmth for Winter Wellness (Plus 12 TCM-Inspired Tips)

Feel a winter chill in the air? As winter temperatures drop, your body faces new challenges and staying warm becomes more than a matter of comfort.

Beyond layering up with coats and scarves, there are a few things you can do to protect your body and avoid the icy health pitfalls of winter.

Let’s look to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to understand how warmth is the foundation of good health during the colder months – and what you can do to stay toasty inside and out.

The Healing Power of Warmth in TCM

When the temperature drops, your body doesn’t just feel the cold. It responds to it in ways that can impact your overall health. Mastering this balancing act is all part of living well (yang shen).

Winter is considered the most Yin of all the seasons: it’s cold, still, and quiet. To counterbalance this, your body relies on Yang energy, which represents warmth, movement, and action. However, the cold weather can deplete your Yang energy, leaving you more vulnerable to yin-type issues like fatigue, poor circulation, and other imbalances.

Another key issue in winter is weakened Wei Qi – your body’s defensive energy that acts as a protective barrier against external pathogens, kind of like an invisible shield. This energy relies on having enough warming Qi and Yang energy to protect you from illnesses.

Cold weather weakens this shield, making it easier for illness to take hold. Keeping your body warm, especially areas like the neck, lower back, and feet, helps preserve your Wei Qi and keeps your defenses strong.

Health Benefits of Staying Warm

• Better Circulation
  Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, slowing circulation and causing stiffness or pain. Staying warm helps keep blood flowing smoothly, delivering oxygen and nutrients where they’re needed.
  
  
• Healthier Digestion
  Your digestive system thrives on warmth. Cold foods and drinks can “cool the stomach,” slowing digestion and depleting your body’s energy.
  
  
• More Restful Sleep
  A warm body signals safety to your nervous system, helping you relax and fall into a deeper, more restorative sleep.
  
  
• A Calm Mindset
  Warmth provides a sense of comfort and grounding which can soothe feelings of stress and worry.

12 TCM Tips for Staying Warm All Winter Long

Staying warm during the colder months doesn’t just make winter more enjoyable – it also keeps your body functioning at its best. From how you dress to what you eat, these TCM-inspired tips will help you retain warmth and strengthen your body’s natural defenses.

Get Bundled Up

1. Wear a Scarf
   The back of your neck, often called the “wind gate” in TCM, is especially vulnerable to cold. A scarf acts as a barrier, protecting your Wei Qi and preventing chills from penetrating.
   
   
2. Don’t Skip Socks
   Your feet house the Kidney meridian, a key source of Yang energy. Cold feet can weaken this energy and leave you feeling sluggish. Keep them warm with thick, cozy socks – even indoors.
   
   
3. Layer Wisely
   Insulating, breathable fabrics keep your body warm without trapping sweat. Focus on layering areas prone to heat loss, like your head, hands, and torso.

Rethink Your Drinks

1. Say No to Ice
   Avoid cold beverages, which can “chill” your digestive system and slow metabolism. Not only does this lead to issues like weight gain, bloating, and indigestion, but it can allow cold to settle in the body and cause other issues, like poor circulation, pain, headaches, and fertility challenges. Instead, drink all beverages at room temperature or warmer and focus on warm foods.
   
   
2. Warm Up with Herbal Teas
   Warm herbal teas are natural ways to boost warmth and circulation while soothing digestion. Goji berries and red date tea or ginger and honey tea are great choices for winter.
   
   
3. Try Spiced Beverages
   Add warming spices like turmeric, nutmeg, or cardamom to your favorite hot drinks (like coffee, tea, or even mulled wine) for a flavorful and health-boosting treat.

Eat and Cook for Warmth

1. Include Warming Foods
   Did you know all foods have an associated temperature and nature? Ingredients like ginger, garlic, cinnamon, hearty root vegetables, and lean meats naturally generate heat in the body and can help boost warmth from within.
   
   
2. Choose Cooking Methods That Build Warmth
   Certain cooking methods can create warmth, too. Try stews, soups, and roasted dishes to turn up the heat and warm up your digestive system. Our go-to winter recipe? A nourishing soup made with Chinese Herbal Soup + Broth Mix for Good Health and Immunity.
   
   
3. Make Use of Seasonal Produce
   Eating seasonally is key in TCM. In winter, this means squash, sweet potatoes, and other warming, nutrient-dense foods. However, your best options will vary based on where you live. Scour the local winter farmer’s markets to see what is naturally in season in your area – this is usually a good indicator of the best foods to support your body each season.

Create Cozy Spaces

1. Use Heating Pads or Blankets
   You don’t have to skyrocket your energy bills to stay warm at home. Apply gentle heat with heating pads, wraps, or cozy blankets to your lower back or abdomen to boost circulation and relax muscles.
   
   
2. Take Warm Baths
   A warm bath is a great way to infuse heat into every part of your body – just be sure to get warm and dry quickly after getting out. Add Epsom salts or a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus for a soothing and warming soak.
   
   
3. Create Inner Warmth with Tai Chi
   Gentle Tai Chi movements can help you build warmth from the inside out. Create some space in your office or living room to practice exercises like Wave Hands Like Clouds or Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg when you feel chilled. These promote circulation, stimulate your Yang energy, and leave you feeling energized and grounded

Warm Up with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Struggling with achy joints, sluggish digestion, or low energy in winter? You may need an extra warming boost from more potent Chinese herbal remedies. Try these tried-and-true cold-weather tonics to warm up your winter:

• Po Sum On Massage Oil
  For cold tension headaches and neckaches, or joint or muscle pain that worsens in winter, this warming oil can quickly bring soothing relief.
• Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Vital Energy Combo)
  When your Yang qi gets suppressed by winter’s cold, this formula can help you feel bright and energized again. Use this for issues like poor digestion, prolapse, fatigue, and weakness.
  
  
• Jin Gui Shen Qi Tang (Golden Cabinet)
  This yang tonic formula helps restore yang energy, balance yin and yang, and support issues like constantly feeling cold, edema, low energy, and low libido.

Stay Warm, Stay Balanced

Winter doesn’t have to be a season of discomfort. By embracing the power of warmth through TCM-inspired practices, you can keep your body strong, your mind calm, and your energy flowing. Simple choices – like wearing a scarf, taking Chinese herbal remedies, and enjoying hearty, warming meals – add up to a big impact on your overall health.

Ready to enhance your winter wellness journey? Explore our range of herbal products and discover how small changes can help you thrive, no matter the season.