Winter Health: What to Eat and Drink, Self-Care Tips, and Zodiac Signs
Winter begins on December 21 and ends on March 20. Though the calendar of the western world begins and ends with winter, this season marks the last of the astrological year. Winter is what I call the re: season. It's a time to retreat, recap, recoup, restore, rejuvenate, and ultimately prepare to rebirth.
What to Eat and Drink for Good Health During Winter
Cold temperatures, dry air, and moist snow call us to focus on warmth. Beyond cozying up next to the fireplace under a warm blanket, consuming foods and beverages that light the fire of your digestive system is key.
Root vegetables like beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, and onions are ideal because they're rich in vitamin C for immune health, fiber for eliminating waste and feeling full, and antioxidants that can prevent disease.
Fruits like butternut squash and pumpkin are also known for their high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Herbs and spices that are recommended include ginger, garlic, turmeric which are all known for catering to the health of your blood and heart. Fennel is another herb that health experts advise eating in the winter as it can reduce blood sugar and stop bacteria growth. Other herbs I'm particularly fond of, especially during the winter, are elderberry (can protect against cold and flu), echinacea (builds immune system and reduces inflammation), cinnamon (fights infections, diseases, and viruses) and astragalus (an adaptogen that helps manage stress).
How to Manage Your Self-Care During Winter
In terms of self-care, winter is a season that invites us to turn inward. Nourish yourself by setting parameters around how much of your time, space, energy, and resources you're willing to share. Tending to healthy, established relationships can help you ensure your giving of yourself wisely.
Because this is the season where the sun doesn't shine as bright or as long, you may find yourself feeling a little low on serotonin — a hormone the body naturally produces that's partially responsible for your sleep patterns, mood, attention, and behavior. If you find yourself feeling sluggish or irritable more than usual, you can help your body boost how much serotonin its making by exercising, getting plenty of sleep, and going outside for 10 to 15 minutes during the day.
The Zodiac Signs of Winter
Winter begins with the cardinal earth sign Capricorn, which is ruled by Saturn. This means that winter starts off asking us to put in some serious hard work and determination when it comes to getting grounded, setting boundaries, and exercising self-control and self-discipline. Capricorn also rules the 10th house, indicating that this time is connected to our higher purpose in life. Taking a look back over the year to discover what lessons you've learned and how that'll shape your future is beneficial. Capricorn season starts on December 22 and ends on January 19.
On January 20, we move into the fixed air sign Aquarius. Together, Saturn and Uranus rule this sign. Through February 18, we bring balance into the winter season by taking an insightful look at how we think, communicate, and analyze situations. Though Saturn continues to prompt us to take a responsible approach, Uranus gives us permission to revolt and liberate ourselves from whatever though processes are holding us back. Aquarius rules the 11th house, so give attention to how this impacts what communities you're part of, how you show up in different organizations, and what you need from different groups you're part of.
The last sign of winter and the zodiac in general is the mutable water sign Pisces. We're here from February 19 until March 20. Pisces is ruled by Jupiter and Neptune and rules the 12th house. This dreamy sign helps us shift out of winter and into spring. It asks us to connect with our intuition, creativity, and spirituality with the goal of creating space for abundance and success. That said, it's important to address your innermost thoughts — for better or worse — because what your mind meditates on is what your mind manifests.