Having poor circulation sets you up for frostbite.
I learned this firsthand when I tried to get an extra season out of my old broken down ski boots.
With temperatures below 10 and windchills in the negatives I spent Christmas week in Breckenridge teaching ski school.
Mid-way through the week of coercing frozen kids to get a run in to please their parents, I lost feeling in my toes.
Worrying about the kids having fun and staying warm, I ignored the dead cold feeling in my feet.
At the end of the day when I pulled off my boots I was horrified to see most of my toes had turned the darkest purple bordering on black I’d ever seen.
The hours following were excruciating as my body tried to bring the toes back to life.
To this day, if I fail to keep my toes warm I experience a week of alternating sharp shooting pain and itching until the swollen toes peel.
My hands get cold easily and there’s no way I want a repeat experience with my fingers.
On many cold days I have purchased tea purposely for the warming effect of the cup.
Can you relate?
If only I could figure out how to hold a cup with my feet.
I’m sure there’s a Youtube on it.
I’ve learned from years of acupuncture if I keep a client’s feet warm their entire body will warm up.
Soaking in a sunny day, infrared lights and red light therapy are all my go-to’s for defrosting the bone chilling cold.
It’s not uncommon for me to prescribe a warm vacation for clients during the dark cold winter months.
This is why I took up sailing – I need an excuse to snowbird in the Caymans.
Understanding your body’s symptoms key work arounds are crucial.
Likely you have a few tricks to stay warm – hit reply – I’d love to hear what you’re up to!
Most of the time I can ward off circulation issues with the following tricks:
- Dong Quai – aka Angelica Sinensis for circulation boosting daily
- Nitric oxide boosting supplements or foods – beets, arugula, celery, spinach
- NAD – precursor to vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Exercise daily
- Movement every hour or the ability to swing my legs, tap my feet or wiggle
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, all spice – in something daily
- Good fats – flaxseed, evening primrose
- Red light therapy
- Darn tough socks
- Slippers
- Scarves
- Hand warmers
- Coats with warmers in them
Sometimes your mind and body need a break from the interventions.
A reboot or defrost as I call it.
This is where knowing your body and planning ahead come into play.
Is there a point at which you peak at your annoyance with your symptoms?
For me it’s February.
If the “Snow Gods” were nice there would have been 2 months of snow and cold by then and at least 2 more on the horizon.
Midway through has been a great defrosting break for me.
You know when you’re fed up with things…plan a trip right at that time.
Maybe you won’t want to come back from that trip…that’s how you know the amount of time you need.
I’ve been going to the Cayman Islands with my in-laws for years and most of the time in February.
Two weeks have been perfect yet I wonder this year if I may extend my trip to sail a bit longer.
Transition back to your home environment is always tough.
Asian medicine might have some ways to help you survive.
For thousands of years the Japanese and Chinese have worn kidney warming bands.
In Japan they call them Haramaki – two words combined meaning center of the body (hara) and wrap (maki).
A quick online search reveals ones with built in heaters and some beautiful ones on Etsy.
Your kidneys are your batteries in Chinese Medicine and if they get cold your battery is drained.
This battery refers to your life and your daily energy.
When you get cold internally you deplete qi and this can lead to knee and low back pain along with fatigue.
These belly bands are considered an anti-aging and warming tool.
Along these same lines Asian medicine is big on scarves.
Wearing a scarf in cold weather protects the areas on the base of your skull and the top of your upper back from taking in the cold and wind, if it’s windy.
Both cold and wind are considered ingredients for coming down with “cold” according to Chinese Medicine.
Scarves and a belly wraps could be what you’re missing to help keep you warm when no amount of heat or trips to the Caymans can defrost you permanently.
If you’re like me or you know someone who is – help them improve their longevity and health by giving them the gift of improved circulation.
I truly believe good circulation is the key to optimal health.
When circulation is optimal blood, nutrients, hormones and signaling molecules get to where they need to be and the cell trash if flushed out.
Qi or energy in Asian medicine is directly related to circulation.
If you want good Qi aka energy – you need good circulation.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s email where I talk about the connection between heart, liver and kidney blood circulation and hormone health at any age.
Here’s to staying warm this winter and boosting your circulation!
Dr. Jannine Krause
