The Season of Stillness: Understanding Winter Through Chinese Medicine

If you’ve been feeling more tired than usual, emotionally flat, or just not quite yourself, there’s a reason.

In Chinese Medicine, winter is governed by the Water Element — the most yin of all five elements. It represents stillness, inward reflection, and restoration. This season is deeply connected to your Kidneys, which are considered a yin organ and the most important organ in the body.

Their yang partner organ is the Bladder, which helps regulate the flow of energy and waste. Together, this kidney-bladder system is responsible for your foundation — how well you hold energy, how you recover, and how deeply you rest.

The Kidneys are the source of all energy or “Qi” in the body. They store your core life force and are responsible for your vitality, longevity, and resilience under pressure.

When your kidneys are depleted or out of balance, it’s common to feel it both physically and emotionally.

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF WATER ELEMENT IMBALANCE:

• Premature ageing or greying of hair

• Urination problems, such as cystitis

• Prostate disorders in males

• Kidney stones

• Dark bags under the eyes

• Craving salty foods

• Fluid retention, bloating, or oedema

• Lymphatic congestion

• Lower back pain

• Weak or brittle bones

• Aversion to cold

• Lethargy or exhaustion

• Poor short-term memory

• Problems with the knees

EMOTIONAL SIGNS OF KIDNEY IMBALANCE:

• Fear

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Intense phobias

• Lack of perception

• Lack of willpower

• Being timid or weak

• Learning difficulties

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Apprehension

• Fear of failure

• Depression

• Complaining

• Suspicious or paranoid behaviour

• Workaholism

   

AS INNA SEGAL DESCRIBES KIDNEY IMBALANCES AS :

“Living with guilt, resentment, blame, ancient sadness. Holding onto destructive beliefs and memories from the past. Suffering, with a limited short-term memory, because all your attention is stuck in the past. Experiencing tiredness, depression, deadness, paralysing fear. Focusing on the negative aspects of life, unable to trust, difficulty in dealing with challenging situations.
Crumbling under pressure. Giving up.”

If any of this resonates, it’s not a flaw. It’s a message from your body. And it’s inviting you to do things differently this season.

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR WATER ELEMENT & KIDNEY ENERGY

This season isn’t about pushing through. It’s about restoring.

Small changes can create powerful shifts:

• Choose warm, nourishing foods like soups and slow-cooked meals

• Drink warm water regularly

FEELING DRAINED? SUPPORT YOUR SYSTEM NATURALLY

In Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are a yin organ, and the most vital organ of the body. They govern your core life force, reproductive health, and how deeply you’re able to restore energy.

When your reserves are low, your body lets you know.

Here are simple, effective ways to support your Water Element using vibrational and plant-based medicine:

ESSENTIAL OILS TO SUPPORT KIDNEY ENERGY:

• Cedarwood – grounding, strengthens willpower

• Juniper – detoxifying and protective

• Fennel – nurturing, supports digestion and kidney function

• Thyme – warming and energising

   

FLOWER ESSENCES TO SUPPORT :

BACH FLOWERS:

• Aspen – for fear of the unknown

• Mimulus – for known fears and timidity

• Olive – for exhaustion and burnout

• Rock Rose – for panic and frozen fear

• Star of Bethlehem – for past emotional trauma

   

AUSTRALIAN BUSH FLOWERS:

• Water Essence – supports emotional fluidity and softness

• Gaia Essence – grounding and replenishing on a soul level

   

AFFIRMATION FROM LOUISE HAY:

Kidneys: “I seek only good everywhere. Right action is taking place. I am fulfilled.”
Bladder: “I release the old and welcome the new.”
— Louise L. Hay, You Can Heal Your Life

 You’re not meant to operate at full speed all year round.
Your kidneys, your nervous system, your emotional health — they all need rhythm, softness, and rest.

This season is an invitation to return to your energy source.
To replenish what’s been given out.
And to let rest become part of your healing, not something you feel guilty about.

NEED SUPPORT THIS WINTER?

If your energy’s feeling stretched or you’re craving emotional steadiness, I’m here.

You’re welcome to book a session — we’ll work gently to support your system and bring your energy back into balance.
Or if you’d like a vibrational remedy, reach out, and I’ll match one to where you’re at.

This season can hold you — if you let it.

• Avoid too much salt or highly processed foods

• Reduce raw or cold meals where possible

• Get more rest — sleep in, go to bed earlier

• Pause high-intensity workouts — gentle movement is better

• Make space for quiet — journaling, reflection, stillness

• Avoid prolonged stress and overstimulation