Winter invites us to slow down, listen inwardly, and strengthen the deeper reserves that carry us through the year. In East Asian medicine, this season belongs to the Water element, which governs the Kidneys, adrenals, longevity, and our ability to adapt to stress.
While many people think of winter simply as “cold and flu season,” it’s actually a powerful time to build resilience — physically, emotionally, and within our communities.
This month, a small moment on a snowy morning brought this lesson into sharp focus.
A Winter Bus Stop Story: Community as Medicine
On a particularly icy morning, the bus stop felt unexpectedly lovely. A woman asked if I could help her over a snow hump, and that small moment opened into conversation. Moments later, my very sweet downstairs neighbor arrived, and suddenly the three of us were chatting like old friends as we climbed onto the bus together.
Then, as if the universe was underscoring the point, the bus stopped again in front of another snowy mound. This time, two of us reached out to help someone else.
It struck me how naturally we stepped in for one another.
How instinctive mutual care becomes when the world turns cold.
How much the Water element reminds us that resilience is shared, not solitary.
The Water element governs our deepest resources — the stored energy that helps us meet challenges, recover from stress, and stay grounded through uncertainty. Connection strengthens those reserves just as much as herbs, rest, or acupuncture.
Winter asks us to remember:
We are not meant to go through the cold months alone.
How Acupuncture Supports Immunity in Winter
Winter illnesses often arise when the body’s reserves are depleted. Acupuncture helps nourish and regulate the systems most affected at this time of year:
1. Boosting Immune Function (Wei Qi)
Acupuncture supports the body’s natural defenses, improving immune response and reducing susceptibility to seasonal illness.
2. Calming the Nervous System
Stress directly impacts immunity. Treatment helps regulate cortisol, relax the mind, and support more restorative sleep.
3. Strengthening Kidney + Adrenal Energy (Water Element)
This supports stamina, resilience, hormonal balance, and long-term health.
4. Supporting Digestion
Since a large percentage of immune cells live in the gut, acupuncture helps optimize digestive and metabolic function.
If your energy feels low or stress is high, winter is an ideal time to reset.
Book here: lisameyersonacupuncture.janeapp.com
Herbal Support for Immunity and Stress Relief
A few gentle herbal allies go a long way in winter. Through my Fullscript dispensary, patients can access practitioner-grade formulas delivered directly to their home.
Herbs I Recommend This Season
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Jade Wind Screen for immune protection
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Reishi & Cordyceps mushrooms for stress support + deep nourishment
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Adaptogens like Ashwagandha and Holy Basil for mood and adrenal balance
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Vitamin D + K2, especially essential in the Midwest during low-light months
If you’d like a customized herbal protocol tailored to your constitution, I’m happy to create one for you.
Connection, Travel, and the Water Element: A Mexico City Reflection
I recently returned from Mexico City after visiting my friend’s family, and the trip couldn’t have come at a better time. The city vibrates with warmth, history, and a deep sense of connection — meals shared with family, late-night conversations, color everywhere, and the gentle reminder that joy is also medicine.
Water element teaches us that nourishment isn’t only physical; it’s emotional and communal. Traveling reminded me how restoring it can be to feel held by people, culture, and new experiences.
I returned home with a renewed sense of steadiness — and a deeper appreciation of the small moments that refill our reservoirs.
Everyday Practices for Water Element Nourishment
Here are some gentle ways to care for yourself during winter:
Warm, Mineral-Rich Foods
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Bone broth
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Soups and stews
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Seaweed, miso, mushrooms
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Black beans, walnuts, sesame
Gentle Movement
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Tai chi
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Qigong
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Restorative yoga
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Slow stretching
Meditation & Breathwork
Even 3–5 minutes a day can help regulate the nervous system.
And Most of All — Connection
Allow yourself to receive help.
Offer support where you can.
Let yourself be part of the “village.”
Your nervous system feels that, too.
Support for the Cold Months Ahead
If you're feeling run down, stressed, or simply needing a seasonal reset, winter acupuncture can help strengthen your foundation and support immunity.
Book a session: lisameyersonacupuncture.janeapp.com
Lisa Meyerson Acupuncture | Evanston, IL
Lisa Meyerson
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