Fall Wellness
The shorter days, crisp, cool air, crunchy leaves, and pumpkin spice everything are reminders that we are shifting into Fall. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) places great importance on the influence of the changing seasons on the human body and health. TCM views the body as a microcosm of the natural world, and each season is associated with specific elements, organs, emotions, tastes, colors, et cetera.
The Fall season is associated with the element of Metal, which symbolizes contraction, organization, and setting boundaries. This is a great time to finish up any projects you began during the Spring or Summer months and enjoy all the hard work you put forth. It is also a great time to begin new projects of a more internal nature. The theme for the fall season is “letting go”, whether that is internally (emotions, beliefs, etc.) or externally (clutter in your physical space).
The organs associated with the Metal element are the Lungs and Large Intestine. The Lungs are responsible for taking in the new, and the Large Intestine is responsible for eliminating waste. The Lungs are considered a “sensitive” organ in TCM since the open airway that supplies fresh oxygen also makes them more vulnerable to external pathogens and irritants. For this reason, it is important to care for the body on an emotional and physical level to avoid illness.
Seasonal Eating
With each seasonal shift, there are new foods that will best support our bodies. In Fall when our bodies tend towards dryness and cold, we need to eat foods that nourish Yin and add moisture to the body. These are foods like pears, apples, persimmons, fish, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, and eggs.
The flavor associated with the Fall season is pungent. Think of foods like onion, garlic, ginger, horseradish, and turnips. These foods help to build our Wei Qi to protect us from illness. In addition, continue to eat the foods of late summer such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, winter squash, ginger, and carrots. Our meals should be cooked and served warm to help facilitate digestion. Soups and stews are perfect for this time of year. Does anyone else get excited about their slow cooker?
Slow Down and Organize
Fall is the time to organize your life so that you are ready for the reflection time of Winter. Take some time to clean and organize your house, office, car, or any other space that is cluttered. Get rid of items that no longer serve you. Then do the same with your body. What is bringing value to your life? What beliefs, emotions, experiences, or people are weighing you down or holding you back? If it isn’t helping you move forward, it’s time to go.
This is one of the most challenging things for people to do. We naturally tend to hold onto everything, even if what we are holding on to isn’t good for us. Letting go can be scary, uncomfortable, and possibly painful in the moment, but the freedom felt when all is said and done will be worth it.
Get Regular
Having daily bowel movements helps to flush the literal waste from your body but also helps to release other stagnations, including emotional, as well. When the Large Intestine is out of balance, you may experience constipation, dryness, skin issues, feeling “stuck” emotionally, and more. According to TCM, it is ideal to have a bowel movement between 5 and 7 in the morning. I am a firm believer that as long as it’s moving, it doesn’t matter when you go. If you are struggling with bowel issues, schedule an appointment.
Grief, Sorrow, and Sadness
The Metal element is associated with grief, sorrow, and sadness. These emotions are often precipitated by some sort of loss and often resurface in the Fall. Take some time to process the feelings that are emerging and then let them go. I will be writing more extensively about this later, so stay tuned for the next post.
Chinese Herbs Are Your Friends
Seasonal allergies? Prone to catching every cold that exists? I got you covered. Chinese herbs are safe and effective at both treating and preventing illness. I keep a stock of herbs for seasonal allergies, immune boosting/ preventative, coughs, common colds, sinus infections, and more. If you suffer from any of those or just want to keep your immune system strong, let’s talk.
Seasonal Acupuncture Tune-Up
It’s time for your seasonal tune-up. Acupuncture helps to balance the body and calm the nervous system, especially during times of change. Don’t let the stresses of life get the best of you. Come in for your acu-nap today!