Staying Healthy over the Winter

Like all living things our bodies have rhythms. We mirror the seasonal growth patterns of plants. The long days of spring and summer see the acceleration of activity and growth in our bodies.

Winter is a time to slow down as our body and organs need time to rejuvenate and prepare for the next cycle of activity in spring and summer.

We need to spend more time resting and sleeping. Failing to respect our bodies' change in rhythm during winter leaves them prone: vulnerable to getting colds, influenza and infections.

To help keep our bodies healthy we should eat fresh fruit and vegetables, in freshly prepared, nutritious food such as soups and smoothies. Hydration is as important in the winter as the summer, so remember to drink plenty of water.

If we are active and work to keep our bodies as healthy as possible, we have more of a chance of living in harmony with all the pathogens (something that produces disease) that are around us. The very word "dis-ease" indicates what happens when the body is not longer at ease, happy within itself. If our tissues and cells become unhealthy or toxic, pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungal and yeast infections get too strong and start damaging their host, causing disease.

How can we promote health in our bodies and take a ‘prevention is better than cure' approach to life?

Many studies have been shown that the mind, nervous system and immune system are linked: each one of them has an influence on the others. The body and mind work together as a unit. If there is imbalance in any one part this will eventually affect the whole body.

Holistically our body consists of four parts:

The physical body: - musculoskeletal system, connective tissue, skin, etc.
The chemical body: fluids in and around cells, the chemistry of how and what the body is made up of.
The mental body: thoughts and emotions from happiness to jealousy.
The spiritual body: what does life mean to you?

Symptoms are warnings and signs that there is an imbalance somewhere. We must respect these warning signs and act positively to make the changes to restore balance.

Tips to stay healthy:

Physical Body
Take regular exercise to help keep your physical body in good working order. Try walking, trail running, swimming, yoga, Pilates. Have regular ‘maintenance' treatments for your body, including massage, chiropractic and/or osteopathic care. Treatments three or four times a year will help the spine stay in good working order. Your spine is vital for the efficient working of your nervous system, which sends messages to and from the brain. The spine must be healthy for proper functioning.

Chemical Body
Healthy internal chemistry requires a healthy diet. It may be a cliché, but you are what you eat. Consuming unprocessed foods: fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, filtered mineral water will help to maintain healthy chemistry as will avoiding tea, coffee, alcohol and fizzy drinks. We are more than 70% water - so you need to keep properly hydrated and flush out the waste products that your body makes. Tea/coffee and alcohol have a diuretic effect and cause dehydration. Avoid foods that contain the following: sweeteners; artificial colourings and hydrogenated fats. Always read the labels when buying foods. Be adventurous with your cooking - try different herbs and spices.

Mental Body
Enjoy good mental health by thinking positively. Live for the present - and stop worrying unnecessarily. Research shows that meditation and relaxation have a positive effect on our health and wellbeing.

Spiritual Wellbeing
Seek to be satisfied with what you do in your life, create a sense of belonging, and a sense of purpose. Connect with the natural world by spending time outside in the fresh air.

To sum up: our bodies are constantly trying to achieve harmony. The body and mind's work are integrated - if there is imbalance in one of its four parts the imbalance will eventually affect the whole body.

We have to accept more responsibility for the way we are and give body, mind and spirit due respect and treat them well. We are not machines: our bodies have to see us through our whole life.

I have written this article in the hope that you will be empowered to treat your body in a different way. I am a registered McTimoney Chiropractor. My work is fascinating and fulfilling and I continue to study in order to enhance my skills and knowledge. Through my own experience and the teaching of others I have become aware of how our bodies create symptoms and what can be done to support our bodies through crises when they occur. I know I have a lifetime of learning left to do.

Article written for Winter 2007 issue by

Claire Amos - Claire is a registered chiropractor working in Crowborough using the McTimoney chiropractic technique. If you would like to discuss anything in this article or find out more about the chiropractic care she offers,  please contact her on: 01892 668852