Winter is the darkest, dampest, and coldest time of the year; however, this should not be construed as a bad thing. In nature, winter is a time of hibernation, and for people, it is a time of introspection. Some basic recommendations for winter to stay healthy are: dress appropriately (wool); eat cooked or warmed foods to counteract the cold temperatures outside (soups, stews); avoid copious amounts of raw vegetables, juices, or chilled foods and beverages; use spices like ginger or cinnamon; and sleep longer (go to bed earlier, wake up later).