According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, excess of any type depletes the energy of the water element, the deepest energy stores in our bodies. Adrenal fatigue, so common in western cultures, is a good example of this. Our stress-filled lifestyles tend to override the natural rhythms of life and seriously diminish our energy resources. Winter is the peak season of the water element, so it’s the optimal time to observe, nurture, cultivate, and balance this energy within ourselves. Here are a few simple ways to maximize your winter health, and restore balance to your water element: Consume warm, nourishing, whole foods and liquids. Maintain regular sleep patterns. Limit your intake of caffeine, sugar, alcohol. Conserve your energy, and avoid running on empty. Create some quiet, contemplative space. “Let the waters settle and you will see the moon and the stars mirrored in your own being”. ~ Rumi.

Katrina W. Chappell, RN, Registered Acupuncturist