It’s been a very wet start to 2026 down here in Devon. I think it has rained everyday since the beginning of January - just endless grey skies, soggy fields, and that particular damp that seeps into everything.

And in clinic, I’ve really been seeing the effects of it.

More achy joints aggravated by dampness. Lower mood from the lack of light. Sluggish energy. And alongside that, a very real sense of anxiety and uncertainty about these shifting weather patterns and our planet.

At times like this, I find myself leaning even more on the wisdom of Chinese medicine.

What I love about this medicine is how practical and grounding it is. It gives us simple ways to shift our energy, support our bodies, and reconnect with ourselves - even when the world outside feels heavy or unsettled.

I started studying Chinese medicine back in 2005 (which feels both like yesterday and a lifetime ago). I remember being completely fascinated by this different way of understanding health, nature, and being human. These principles have now become such a natural part of my everyday life - small habits that help me stay steady and resourced.

I thought it might feel supportive to share a few of these simple practices with you here - gentle ways to care for yourself during these damp, grey winter weeks.

Supporting yourself through damp, heavy winter energy

In Chinese medicine, this kind of prolonged wet weather creates what we call external dampness. When our system is already tired or depleted, this can settle internally - leading to heaviness, foggy thinking, low mood, digestive sluggishness, and aching joints.

The key principles at this time of year are:

warming the body
supporting digestion (the Spleen energy)
encouraging gentle movement of Qi
protecting emotional balance

Here are some simple ways to do this.

1. Eat warm, cooked foods

I’m sorry to repeat this again, but winter - especially damp winter - is not the time for lots of cold or raw foods.

Favour:

soups, stews, and broths
roasted root vegetables
warming breakfasts like porridge
lightly spiced foods (ginger, cinnamon, cardamom)

Warm foods help strengthen digestion and prevent internal dampness from building.

A simple place to start: swap cold breakfasts for something warm.

2. Use warming drinks throughout the day

Try:

fresh ginger tea
hot water with lemon
cinnamon or fennel tea

This gently warms the system, supports digestion, and helps move stagnant energy.

3. Keep the body gently moving

When everything feels heavy and grey, it’s tempting to stay still - but stagnation increases low mood and physical stiffness.

You don’t need intense exercise. Think:

walking in fresh air
stretching
shaking out the body
gentle yoga

Movement helps circulate Qi and lifts the mind.

4. Protect your energy from excess “damp”

This means both physical and emotional dampness.

Keep feet and lower back warm
Air out your home when possible
Reduce excess sugar and dairy if you feel heavy or sluggish
Limit overwhelming news intake if anxiety is rising

5. Support your mood through the Heart

In Chinese medicine, the Heart governs joy and emotional steadiness.

Simple nourishment for the Heart includes:

connecting with people who feel safe
laughter
moments of stillness
stepping outside for daylight, even briefly

Small moments of warmth and connection protect emotional balance during darker months.

6. It won’t last forever

My husband has a workshop on a nearby farm, and the farmer there has worked the land his whole life. He carries the kind of quiet wisdom that comes from being deeply connected to the seasons - so we always listen when he shares his thoughts.

Apparently these heavy weather systems tend to last around eight weeks, which means a shift is coming and we don’t have much longer to go. Brighter, lighter days are on their way!

Staying balanced in soggy times — small Chinese medicine practices for winter