Five Element Series: Water

An Intro to the Water Element

As we move deeper into winter, it is time to embrace the element of water. Water is the most yin of all elements. Deep and internal in nature, it represents stillness, darkness, and nourishment. Soft yet powerful, this substance cuts through the most durable of matter and moves around any obstacle.

Winter: The Water season

When cold and dark days approach, Traditional Chinese Medicine encourages turning inwards, resting, and preserving our energy. Over-exertion during winter time can lead to the depletion of our kidney energy and may look like fatigue, low libido, back pain, increased susceptibility to illness, and lower stress tolerance. It is important to cultivate a balance between rest and activity. We cannot look externally or compare ourselves to others to determine how much rest vs. activity is appropriate for us individually. We can only look within. Naturally our qi begins to turn inward and gives us the opportunity to restore our physical and mental energy, conserving it for the coming seasons of growth and activity.

Balanced Water Element

  • You have an appropriate response to dangerous situations, but you are not overly fearful

  • You have the ability to regulate your nervous system after a threatening situation occurs

  • You see the big picture and can weigh out risk potential

  • You have the ability to judge the trustworthiness of another person

  • You can improvise when things don’t go as planned

Imbalanced Water Element

  • You tend to be overly cautious and anticipate danger which may hold you back in some situations

  • Alternatively, you like to put yourself in risky situations and feel a surge of adrenaline

  • You may fantasize about potential threats and always be on alert

  • You struggle to let your guard down and often feel suspicious

  • On the other hand you may be overly trusting and assume that everyone has good intentions

  • You take pride in having a strong drive and determination

  • You may feel paralyzed if something happens that you weren’t expecting

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How to Get Better Sleep for Hormone-Mediated Insomnia During Menopause and the Premenstrual Phase

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Five Element Series: Fire