Finding the time for self-care during the busy holiday season can be difficult.  With travel, preparations, hosting, attending, giving and receiving, most of us are just over extended and we have to find areas of our lives where we can chisel away the time to make the holiday magic.  

All of hustle and bustle of the holidays truly counters the natural flow of the season.  The shorter dark winter days of old were a time to get more rest and time to reflect internally. Even many in the animal kingdom take the que in hibernation.   But when you look at society, stores are open longer hours as we have to get in more shopping in and around an already hectic holiday schedule.  

The season of winter corresponds to the kidneys.  The kidneys store our essence or Jing which becomes depleted with age, overwork, stress, etc.  When the kidneys are taxed over time we begin seeing Low back pain, issues with the knees and adrenal fatigue.  I dare say that just about every herbal formula that we work with in fertility contain herbs that specifically support kidney health.  We focus on the kidney Yin the first half of the cycle which support estrogen levels, and the second half we primarily look at kidney yang (the metabolic fire) that supports progesterone.  

We are born with a constitutional Jing or Essence that is reflected in the natural vitality of the body.  When Essence/Jing becomes depleted, we often see reproductive issues like reoccurring miscarriage.  We each are born with a finite amount Kidney essence that is spent over our lifespan.. Once lost its gone but we can slow down the depletion with various lifestyle choices. We can impact and nourish our Kidney essence as we age by eating nutrient dense foods that support the kidneys.  The kidneys are of the water element and favor a bit of good quality salts.  Consider adding in seafood, fish and seaweeds into your diet. Eggs of all kind, chicken, duck, and fish roe.  Black foods of the water element like black beans, Kidney beans, dark leafy greens and berries are Very supportive to the kidneys.  Royal Jelly, Nettles, seeds, nuts (especially walnuts) are ways to fortify your essence/jing.  The kidneys connect to the ears and bones, low back and knees.  A good way to quiet the mind is by focusing on the sights and sounds of the natural environment.  Getting out and doing some low impact walking/hiking is a good way to strengthen your knees and low back as well.   The winter months have been the time our ancestors are more drawn to the hearth to slow cook pots of stew.  Longer cooking time with less water is supportive of the kidneys.  Winter is the time to rest your bones and turn your ear inward.  

Going to bed earlier and sleeping a bit longer is very supportive being in harmony with the seasons and will rejuvenate the kidneys.  Try some dream journaling.  Baths with Epsom salts would be very appropriate.  There are many ways in which acupuncture and massage can help support and preserve the Kidney Jing/Essence.  

We have gift certificates available for purchase to make the perfect winter season gift.  We are also running some holiday specials on both acupuncture and massage!