One thing that many people neglect during the winter time is the need for proper clothing. People need to realize that the body has a finite amount of usable energy, whether it is used for keeping the immune system in optimal condition, or to keep the body warm in this case. Of course, stress steals away a lot of energy that the body needs, but that will be discussed in another post.
Proper outerwear during the winter time includes:
1. Scarf – to cover the neck region, because the nape of the neck is usually a vulnerable area in which we, in Chinese medicine believe, illness can attack. 2. Coat – to protect the main body from loss of heat. 3. Hat – to protect the top of the head from loss of heat. 4. Gloves – this is especially necessary for those living in conditions of snow. 5. Ear muffs – A necessity on the east coast of the US. 6. Boots – to ensure your feet do not get wet during cold temperatures.
As you can see the clothing helps to prevent heat loss, thus more energy can be utilized to create white blood cells for immunity purposes