Much of wisdom of Chinese Medicine can be found in the Huang Ti Nei Ching, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine. It teaches —
“During the Winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting
period, just as lakes and rives freeze and snow falls. This is a time when yin dominates yang.
Therefore one should refrain from overusing the yang energy. Retire early and get up with the
sunrise, which is later in Winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued, as
if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the skin covered. Avoid sweating.
The theory of the Winter season is one of conservation and storage. Without such practice the
result will be injury to the Kidney energy. This will cause weakness, shrinking of muscles, and
coldness; then the body loses its ability to open and move about in the Spring.”
The spending and partying that goes along with the Winter holidays celebrated by many of us aren’t exactly in line with this teaching. But if you want to be ready for activity in the spring and fun in the summer, pay attention to the wisdom here. Stay warm and stay rested. It isn’t too late — the energy of Spring begins to rise in late February.