12/23/2025
Chinese medicine pays close attention to the flow of the seasons because they offer essential guidance on sustaining our well-being. Our bodies need different things in different seasons! These 5 wellness tips for Winter are rooted in ancient Chinese traditions and backed by modern medical research.
1. More sleep, bedtime by 10pm 💤
This is the time to go to bed earlier (we recommend 10pm or earlier for best restoration), and sleep in when possible. Sleep is critical for immunity, brain function, weight maintenance, hormone health, mood, an adaptive stress response, decreasing inflammation and so much more. Shoot for at least 8 hours on average.
2. Hydrate with sea salted water 💦
Dehydration increases our susceptibility to all the viral and bacterial infections going around.
You’ll want to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of pure, room temperature water every day to stay properly hydrated. We recommend adding some sea salt to your water which helps support hydration and kidney health.
3. Get outside during daylight hours 🌤️
Give your eyes and ears a break from the screens. You don’t want to miss out on the health benefits of the pristine beauty and serenity of the quiet Winter woods.
4. Take care of your kidneys 🫐
Winter is the season of the kidneys. They play a key role in adrenal health, stress response, immunity, metabolism and blood pressure. This is a good time to nourish and detoxify them with rest and proper nutrition. Schedule a visit if you’re needing help with a detox plan!
5. Eat Winter foods 🌾
Foods that are naturally available in nature for Winter harvest are going to be the best for your body in that season. In Chinese medicine, we especially want to include salty and bitter flavors which promote a grounding and centering effect that heightens the capacity for storage. This helps bring internal body heat deep and low yet cooler on the surface.
Have fun taking care of yourself this season. Spend time with loved ones making a healthy meal or on an outdoor activity. Remember not to beat yourself for an indulgent meal or skipping a party. It’s all about listening to your body and finding some balance.
