December 21st-22nd, 2011, "Winter Solstice", the 4th small Winter season arrives

      In 2011, the season of "Winter Solstice" occurs at 5:30:01am UTC on December 22nd, that is 12:30:01am December 22nd Eastern time and 9:30:01pm December 21st Pacific time. Celestial longitude: 270 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.

      Here are some additional information.

      So how do we nourish the precious newborn Yang energy? Actually, if we follow our energy’s own movement without interfering it, it will automatically appear, grow and take care of itself. Therefore the basic rule of nourishing the Yang energy is not to overuse it.

1. Less physical workout, stay calm. Even if you are very active, try to do less during this season. 
2. Try to go to bed earlier. This is not a new topic. But if you are not able to go to bed early, at least try to do less physical and mental activities. And definitely do not stay up overnight. Also, try to get up later as well. Ideally don’t get up until sunrise. On the other hand, some people may have hard time stay awake during winter time. According TCM theory, this can be the sign of low in Yang energy. Yang energy is like sunlight, only when the earth has enough sunlight, will there be life. Same thing for our body, if the Yang is low, then other life activities will be low as well. This is why normal sleep and rest is very important.
3. Let the sunlight warm your back. As sunlight is the main Yang energy source and the back is the Yang side of the body. 

      Here are the food remedy recommendations for different group:

1. For those who are low in Qi, signs include weak limbs, low voice, and easy to sweat: Eat food that are warm, include chestnut, carrot, beef, lamb, sea cucumber, shrimp, chive, black date, hazelnut, and walnut. 
2. For those who are low in Blood, signs include pale face, dizziness, palpitation, insomnia, and tinnitus: Eat food that nourish the blood, include longan, white wood fungus, duck, lily, and Chinese yam. 
3. If you are healthy and balanced, then simply stay balanced, and eat food that are balanced in energy as well such as pork, egg and bean product. 

      But don’t forget, at this moment our Yang energy is as young as a newborn baby. We cannot force it to grow fast, therefore don't over nourish but find your own energy rhythm and follow it.

      During the Yin-est time of the year, those who are low in Yang energy, especially middle-aged person and seniors need more care than usual. We talk about senior often, and here we will give more suggestions to the middle-aged. This is an in-between generation who needs to take care both the upper and lower generation. They live under more pressure, meanwhile their physical body and energy starts to wane. Therefore, how to live through the middle-age years has become more important to our senior life quality and longevity.

1. Cultivate the “spirit” and treasure the “heart”: Stay optimistic, don’t force life or constantly worry about personal gain and losses. Use the brain and body reasonably, and live a balanced life between active and dynamic. Learn to appreciate others, get a positive hobby such as music, reading, or art work outside the daily job. Also pay reasonable attention to your personal appearance. Look younger makes you feel younger.
2. Don’t over use the body: Although may be still in great shape, but you have to face the reality that your body is different from 20 years ago. Start to adjust yourself into a new life style that fits your physical age. 
3. Heath does not consist with intemperance. Not abstinency, but control, be the master of your own body. 
4. Food wise, follow the rules of “3 more and 3 less”: More protein, more vitamin and more fiber. Less sugar, less fat and less sodium. Eat regular amount of food at regular time.

      Again, depends on which time zone are you in, rest well on this day. If you are in day light when the solstice moment occurs, at least pull out one hour at this moment for yourself to just rest or meditate, give your new born Yang energy a easy transitional time to grow healthy into a fresh year.