The winter season is about slowing down and grounding into the calm energy that the earth emanates. It’s a time for storing energy, deep rest, stillness and introspection. Just as we see in nature the plants put their energy below ground into their roots. The animals are hibernating, living off stored food or just taking in less and resting more. In our modern culture where we have an abundance of food and activities available to us year-round, it can be challenging to make the right seasonal choices for our body. This makes it easy to get common colds and viruses and to have a general lack of energy during the winter season. In the cool wet environment of Northern California, it’s important to stay warm and dry. Keeping our immune systems strong and our circulation flowing.  

Regular exercise and movement are very important to help from getting sluggish and stagnant. Daily exercise will also help to not put on unnecessary water and mucous weight. Be mindful of practicing sustainable forms of exercise for where you’re at as to not deplete the body. 

Going to bed earlier and rising later to align with nature’s rhythm will help preserve and nourish our nervous system and protect our adrenals.  

Embrace the light, when indoors try to sit by a window to soak in natural light, bundle up with soft warm layers protecting head, neck and feet from cold and get outside to enjoy a walk in the full spectrum light during the darker months.  

Cook with and brew teas with thermogenic herbs and spices. thermogenic herbs improve circulation, warm the body and have anti-microbial properties. Some examples are; 

• Cinnamon 
• Black pepper 
• Garlic 
• Ginger 
• Cloves 
• Cardamon 
• Cayenne 
• Chilis  
• Curry powder 
• Horseradish 
• Spicy herbal chai tea

Increase warming foods such as soups ,stews, broths, root bakes, slow cooked meats and baked winter squash.  

Support healthy immune function by cooking with garlic, shallots, leeks, onions, ginger and garlic. And using culinary herbs such as thyme, oregano, marjoram and rosemary.  

We also want to continue to support healthy liver function, due to the natural slowing down that occurs in winter we want to support healthy detox pathways and keep our blood clean and filtered. Which will help us not to accumulate toxins. Dark leafy greens are key! Enjoy arugula, kale, collard greens, watercress, mustard greens and chard. You can also add burdock root, milk thistle or dandelion root to teas for healthy liver support. Drink warm lemon/lime water  

Make sure to get in healthy fats from raw nuts and seeds, tahini, nut butters, fatty fish, eggs and avocado.  

Stay hydrated, drink filtered water, herbal teas, broths and even steamed veggies help with hydration.  

Try to get some self-care. I love adding a strong pot of calendula, chamomile and rose petal herbal tea with Epsom salts to my bath for relaxation and calming of the nerves. Using dried flowers will infuse a little solar energy, providing a bit of summer’s light and warmth.  

Steam pot inhalation-add redwood needles, cedar tips or fur tips along with rosemary and mint to a stock pot bring to a boil, then turn off and let sit for 20 min before putting your head over the pot with a towel sealing in the steam and breathe in herbal steam for 5 min intervals. This will help clear nasal passage and support healthy respiration.  

Dry brushing for healthy lymph flow and circulation. Brush feet to heart, hands to heart neck to heart. This will also make your skin feel amazing and renewed.  

As we slow down and embrace this time of going inward, allow yourself to reflect on how your daily habits serve you. Our lifestyle choices can provide a renewal to body, mind and spirit.  Practicing gratitude can help light the way .