The season of winter is upon us reaching its full intensity on the Winter Solstice. At the solstice the energy of winter began decreasing daily. Come the first week in February, the energy of spring will start trickling in until spring reaches its full potential on the equinox in March. In Chinese medicine, the season of winter is the season of the water element. As we settle into the most yin time of year it is important to remember to live with nature and to observe the subtle changes that all living things do in order to adapt to the cold of winter.

The winter chill asks us to SLOW down and nourish ourselves. This time of year is about turning inward and to preserve our energy to withstand the winter months as we will not be able to replete our stores until the yang seasons of the year appear once again, spring & summer. We are nature and nature is us. Winter season asks you to respect the rhythm of nature to simply bring you into closer harmony with yourself.

Winter season is about the water element. Water has the ability to be incredibly fluid and flowing however it also can become rigid & hard with the freezing temperatures. It is the element with the most ability to evolve. Think about the flow of rivers and how one minute they can gush and other moments be so still and serene- no matter the flow they will always have the foundation bed and the walls of the bank to course correct and maintain strong boundaries. The water element in Chinese medicine has a direct relationship with the kidney and bladder organs- physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The color of winter and water element is blue. Perhaps this is more difficult to distinguish in Seattle as we don’t get very much snow. When it snows the reflection of blue can be seen all over the landscape- from the water reflecting on the snow, the dark sky, and even frost & ice takes on a lavender/ blue hue. It’s no wonder that people often find themselves feeling “blue” this time of year, yet blue is also a color that is incredibly calming, tranquil, and serene.

What if instead of fighting the winter season we embraced it?

Perhaps if we live with nature and thus with winter we would feel more at peace rather than depressed. This is a time of year to take stock of all that we have achieved & accomplished this year and to finally enjoy the fruits of our labor rather than forcing ourselves to try and complete our to- do list. That is yang energy and thus is out of alignment with the rhythm of nature.

Water Personality Type:

Humanitarians, advocates & entrepreneurs. They have the type of personality that can easily go with flow but strong enough boundaries to course correct when needed. They are humble, charismatic, and have the ability to remain calm & focused even in the face of chaos. These types often find themselves enjoying activities, sports, and careers that involve risk taking and adrenaline surges which for obvious reasons makes their ability to balance sympathetic overdrive essential for overall wellbeing & health and why downtime is so essential for these folks.

Psycho- Emotional Signs & Symptoms that your Kidneys may be Struggling:

The emotion of the Kidneys and Water Element is Fear. Too much or too little can cause disharmony. If your element is imbalanced you may engage the freeze response in the face of real or perceived danger which can often feel paralyzing.

The opposite can be said in that you may not have enough fear instilled and find yourself taking far too many risks or are an adrenaline junkie.

Emotions & Balance:

Fear when in balance keeps us SAFE and in check. It is the oldest known human emotion and this makes sense from an evolutionary viewpoint. This is how our ancestors stayed alive.

Too much fear: Hypervigilance, hyperarousal, insecurity, fear of taking risks, playing it safe, trust issues, constantly looking for reassurance, low self- esteem, dysmorphia.

Too little fear: Overconfidence, arrogant, needless risk taking, stubborn & stuck in their own way.

When Western & East Asian Medicine Meet:

Fear is associated with “fight or flight” response, a major response and one that separates the nervous system into the sympathetic & parasympathetic response of “rest & digest”.

To take this one step further, trauma can change brain function, specifically within the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the pre- fontal cortex.

Trauma comes to us all and when we experience traumatic events, our brains do what it takes to help the body survive and the mind adjust. At the sign of danger, stress, or fear we automatically enter “fight or flight” mode. While these immediate responses are usually temporary, we can also get “stuck” in trauma.

• Prolonged fear & trauma can cause the amygdala (our brain’s alarm center) to develop an overactive response, identifying threats where there are none. Getting “stuck” in fight -or- flight leads to hypervigilance & hyperarousal (remember from above that this is a sign that the emotion of fear in Chinese Medicine is out of balance).
• The hippocampus is involved in memory processing & recall. When the brain is focused on survival, the hippocampus may “code” memories differently, resulting in fragmented memories, intense memories, and flashbacks.
• The prefrontal cortex is responsible for regulating emotions, decision making, and putting the “brakes” on our stress response. Imaging studies of the brains of people with PTSD show hypoactivity in the prefrontal cortex.

Why are we often hypervigilant?

Our large cerebral cortex is the culprit. Stress is perceived by the brainstem, limbic system, and cerebral cortex…all available sources of information are rapidly evaluated, categorized & responded to, largely below conscious awareness. So when these areas are activated the main & obvious question is: Is there danger?

Our brains remember & have associations with whatever is threatening to us- so unlike other animals we keep threatening our minds long after we have escaped. This causes a constant state of autonomic imbalance which is not ideal for homeostasis. In some cases, our modern human lives contribute, including from constant overstimulation and/ or high psychological & complex relational demands. Want to learn more? Join me this winter for our Spirit Mind Body Medicine series where we will do a deep dive into the nervous system and the various things we can do to support our mind, body, and spirit and bring us into better balance with ourselves, our environment, and our community.

Physical Signs & Symptoms that your Kidneys may be Struggling:

• Reproductive Issues: Early menopause, early andropause, low libido, low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, inability to orgasm, and miscarriage. This is all related to our Jing which is our essence in Chinese medicine.
• Endocrine Issues: Hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue, cortisol dysregulation, blood sugar issues.
• Bone Issues: Osteoporosis, osteopenia, fractures, and slowed or delayed healing time.
• Ear Issues: Ringing your ears, hearing loss, ear infections, and vertigo.
  

Food as Medicine to Nourish your Water Element:

• Sea salt, tamari, soy sauce, miso, pickled/ fermented veggies & meats, celery seed
• Seaweed, parsley, cilantro, dandelion greens, garlic, chive, artichoke, nettle, borage
• Seafood (food of the waters that naturally have a high salt content): Clams, lobster, crab, mussels, oyster, cod, salmon, sardines, anchovies
• Walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds
• Barley, millet, wild rice, black beans, mushrooms, pork, duck

5 Practical Tips for Supporting your Water Element & Kidneys this Winter:

~ Say “No” to extra events, tasks, and invitations this time of year. Say “No” to overcommitting. Not sure how to tell if you are overcommitting yourself? If you find yourself committing to something and as it approaches you are secretly hoping it gets cancelled or trying to find an excuse to cancel, you have absolutely overextended yourself. A good rule of thumb is if you can’t make room for it this week you likely won’t have the space, time, or energy for it in 2 months.

~ Long soaks in a warm bath with 3-4 cups of Epsom salt to replenish your Kidneys.

~ Staying hydrated. This is not just about getting enough water daily but getting enough “saturated” water daily. This means keeping your bodily minerals in balance, i.e. good quality mineral salt (none of that refined stuff). Consider adding some to your water rather than purchasing store bought electrolytes. Mountain Rose Herbs is my favorite.

~ If you are feeling stuck, stagnant, or held back by fear- explore it. Talk to friends, a therapist, or even journal/ dialogue with that fear. Grab a notebook, sit by a warm fire, and spend 5 minutes having a conversation with that fear on paper. Taking fear head on will allow you to be more fluid in your life and with your decisions.

~ Support your digestion and gastrointestinal health by leaving out the raw salads and iced beverages until the Spring. This climate is already cold and too much cold in the digestive system can lead to bloating, excess water retention, loose stools, weight gain, and overall sense of heaviness in the body. Instead opt for cooked vegetables and focusing on rich, salty broths, soups, stews, etc.

2025: The Year of the Snake

Representing wisdom, intuition,
and transformation. The Snake is
a highly respected symbol of
intelligence and charm, often
seen as a figure of elegance and
mystery..
With Wood as its element the
Wood Snake brings an added
layer of growth, resilience, and forward-looking energy.

2025: Focus on personal growth, relationship building, and a steady pursuit of long- term goals, and make it an auspicious time for reflection and thoughtful action.

Wishing everyone good fortune in the year ahead.

* This post was originally printed in the Village Medicine Seattle’s Wellness Quarterly Magazine, 1Q25 Edition. Read and download the full publication

About The Author

Dr. Tiffany Jaramillo is a Naturopathic Physician and practitioner at Village Medicine Seattle. Tiffany loves empowering, educating, and reconnecting patients to their inner wisdom. Learn more about Dr. Jaramillo