I have some practical tips for you on how to cherish yourself in a way that is in harmony with winter:

1.FOOD.

You can strengthen your kidneys by adding more soups and root vegetables to your diet. The kidneys like a lot of warm fluid in the form of soups and slow-cooked seasonal foods such as pumpkins, potatoes, carrots, celeriac, cabbage, mushrooms and a small amount of sea salt. Here is a comprehensive list of foods that are good and bad for the kidneys:

Foods that promote Kidney Yin

• wheat, oats, rice, millet, barley
• plant-based yogurt, tofu, tempeh
• nuts and seeds, especially black sesame seeds
• adzuki beans, black beans, mung beans, soy beans, kidney beans,
• zucchini, pumpkin, potatoes, sweet potatoes, string beans, beets, mushrooms, spirulina
• apples, bananas, blueberries, blackberries, melons, peaches, mulberries, mango, coconut
• olive oil, linseed oil, almond oil
• If you eat animal products: eggs, chicken, duck, mackerel, sardines, oysters, mussels, clams, squid, squid, bass, seaweed, kelp, eel

Foods you must to limit or avoid

• peppers, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, onions, shallots, leeks, basil, cloves, wasabi, coffee, vinegar, pickles, tea, lamb, shrimp, veal, citrus fruits, cigarettes, alcohol and recreational stimulants

2.REST AND GO INDOORS.

Bring your focus inward and lovingly acknowledge your fears through meditation, writing and contemplation. Yoga Nidra is such a beautiful practice to help you connect with the essence of the element of Water and support you in silence and peace. You can find many beautiful guided Nidra sessions on Spotify from Nids Nidra or in Dutch on YouTube.

3.ENERGETIC MASSAGE AND ACUPRESSURE.

These Eastern methods will boost your kidney energy and immune system. During the dark months, regular treatments will keep your energy and mood up and keep colds and flu at bay. Start now! You can HERE book your appointment online!

4.WARM CLOTHING.

Wear clothing that nourishes and supports the kidneys and bladder. Put on woolen socks to keep your feet and ankles warm (kidney and bladder meridians have many important acupuncture points there). Wear warm underwear and long undershirts to keep your lower back covered and warm at all times.

5.ESSENTIAL OILS.

Essential oils have a natural, living, vital energy and the ability to invigorate, energize and strengthen our bodies and minds. The best oils that enhance the qualities of the Water element are: Juniper Berry, Cedarwood, Cypress, Thyme and Geranium. You can put a few drops in a diffuser and inhale their aroma, you can mix them with a massage oil (pure almond or sesame oil are great) and rub them into sore joints and muscles. You can use a few drops and rub them behind your ears and under your feet or put them in a warm (foot) bath.

The water element loves silence, peace and space. With yoga you can easily achieve deep inner peace in your body, mind and spirit, especially if you make it a daily practice.

The Legs-Against-the-Wall (Viparita Karani) yoga pose is great to support your Bladder meridian that runs along your legs and spine. It is deeply restorative for the nervous system, lower back pain and tired legs.

For this exercise it is nice to use a nice blanket to keep you warm, a bolster under your hips, a small pillow under your head and maybe even an eye pillow to feel more calm and secure. To get into the pose, lie on your back with your sit bones as close to the wall as is comfortable for you and extend your legs against the wall so that the backs of your legs rest completely against it.

It can feel very good to put a bolster under your hips. I recommend this attitude at least Practice for 10 to 15 minutes, best between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM, which is bladder and kidney time according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Lots of love,

Monika