Winter Solstice in 2018 - Part 2

Winter solstice is now here! This is the time that you need to take care of yourself particularly your bladder and bones.

Bladder

Have you ever hear Kegels exercises? Kegels exercises strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor and help to prevent urinary incontinence (leakage) and uterine prolapse in women after childbirth or as we age. The pelvic muscles help to support the urethra so that it doesn't give out when we cough, sneeze, jump or do anything that increases intra-abdominal pressure. When practiced consistently, they help 75% of women with incontinence. Want to learn Kegels exercises? Click here.

Bone-Building Program

Parathyroid hormone levels are highest in the winter, when this hormone is needed to help the kidneys activate vitamin D to increase calcium absorption in the intestine and accelerate bone growth. Vitamin D levels are normally lower in winter due to lack of sunlight. The remodeling of your bones is stimulated by electrical charges generated within the bone matrix itself when you exercise. Walk briskly, dance, use a treadmill, play sports, skip - find an exercise you can do each season, especially in the winter, to activate the remodeling process. Exercise at least 40 minutes each day.

Dental Care

Make an effort to schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Floss your teeth daily to decrease inflammation and infection in the gums. Use a toothpaste that does not contain fluoride, parabens, isopropyl alcohol, or sodium laurel sulphate.

Another thing that you should also be concern during this winter season is what winter foods that will support your body during these winter months.

Winter Foods

Use following foods to support your kidneys, bladder, adrenal glands, and bones during the winter months.

Kidney yang tonics (warming): walnuts, black beans, quinoa, onions, leeks, garlic, chicken, trout and cloves .

Kidney yin tonics (blood building): sprouts, string beans, black beans, kidneys beans, lentils, tofu, wild rice, millet, barley, potato, parsley, asparagus, seaweeds, spirulina, red raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, watermelon, rosehip tea and red raspberry tea

Adrenal tonics (energy enhancing): oatmeal, sea salt, licorice root tea

Bladder cleansers: lima beans, celery, carrots, winter squash, potatoes, diluted lemon juice, cranberry juice

Bone Builder: sesame seeds, tahini, hummus, almonds, kale, broccoli, carob, amaranth, figs, dandelion greens, spinach, collards, black-eyed peas, soybeans

Last, during the this winter make sure to use your diffuser and essential oils to help you when suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). So this winter do not allow the weather to cause the winter blues but instead make a effect to take the number one important person! That is YOU!