If cold weather is setting in or seems to be continuing with no end in sight, here is a selection of tips for maintaining your energy in times of falling temperatures.
Hot water first thing in the morning
A mug of hot water and lemon with a little honey is a health-preserving ritual that gently wakes up the digestive system, and promotes internal energy, particularly during the winter months.
Daily massage
Before showering, massage your lower back on the level of the adrenal glands, which are a storehouse of vital energy, for instance with black spruce essential oil. Two drops of this resinous oil mixed with a little vegetable oil will do wonders to warm up the body.
Dress in technical clothing
Woolen hats, gloves and socks play a vital role in keeping our extremities warm. Be sure to choose accessories you find visually pleasing, as you are much more likely to wear them. Those who are very sensitive to the cold might want to slip hand warmers into their coat pockets.
Breathe through your nose
If you are not engaged in physical exercise, inhaling and exhaling through your nose is an excellent way of maintaining your internal temperature. The technique keeps the cold out of your throat and lungs.
Hot drinks before and after meals
This is no time for juice or sodas. Hot drinks, not scalding but just hot, before and after meals help preserve body heat. Cold air also increases the risk of dehydration, so don’t forget to drink plenty of water, tea and herbal tea throughout the day. As an added bonus, thyme and spices (cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, etc.) in herbal teas have a supplementary warming effect.
Menu of root vegetables
Easy to digest and comforting, root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, beetroot, turnips, radishes, potatoes and sweet potatoes) are an excellent choice during cold spells. Small quantities of cereals and pulses (rice, wheat, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, lentils, beans, chick peas and peas) also provide the necessary fuel for the spleen, which plays a key role in maintaining the body’s energy levels.
A nightly footbath
Bathing your feet in hot water at the end of the day is an excellent measure to combat the phenomenon of cold-related vasoconstriction, which weakens the immune system. After having dried your feet thoroughly, consider massaging your arches with two drops of ylang-ylang essential oil, which helps promote restful sleep. JB
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