As nature emerges from Winter hibernation and Spring arrives, with seeds sprouting and more warmth and light, our bodies are also waking up. The feeling is more uplifting and expansive. In Chinese Medicine we work with the concept of living in harmony with the natural rhythms of nature and our environment.
In order for us to experience optimum wellbeing and health, we need to harmonise with the external changes happening around us. The discomfort experienced by many in the months of Spring in the form of colds, sinus issues and allergy flare-ups, plus, for some of us, irritability and anxiety, is attributed by Chinese Medicine to a lack of harmony with the energies around us.
Here are some simple ways to help:
Begin with Spring Cleaning within: in your Mind, Body and Spirit
Chinese Medicine associates the Spring season with the Wood Element. The Wood is represented by Liver Meridian and Gallbladder Meridian in the body.
The Liver meridian is important for cleaning, renewing and energising the body. When the Liver is running smoothly, emotional Qi will flow with ease throughout the body.
Eat Green – Seasonal young plants- fresh leafy greens, sprouts and salads. Gently include more into your food intake. Warm, cooked or streamed foods are easy on digestion.
Taste Sour – Helps to stimulate Liver’s Qi (energy). So, up your intake of food and drinks with sour tastes. Try lemon slices in your drinking water or use or vinegar and olive oil in salad dressing.
Enjoy Milk Thistle Tea – as it encourages the Liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as medications, alcohol, pesticides, environmental toxins and even heavy metals like mercury, whilst protecting liver cells.
Move your Qi by moving your body!
Stretch- Include stretching in your daily routine: Yoga or Qigong practice are perfect. According to Chinese Medicine, the Liver controls tendons and stores blood during periods of rest, then releases it into the tendons in times of activity, helping to maintain tendon health and flexibility.
Exercise Eyes – Take regular breaks when working on laptops or any other digital screens. Try to blink 10 times, rest for 20 seconds by focusing on your breathe, then repeat 5 more times. There are many other eye exercises – how about incorporating them into your daily routine?
Enjoy More Outdoor Activities – Try hiking: outside air especially being in nature or just a green space can help smooth the Liver Qi flow (energy) around the whole body, positively impacting emotional, mental and physical stagnation. When you are feeling irritable head outdoors for a stroll.
Beware of the wind and cover up the neck area in particular with a scarf, even though it may be bright and sunny. Spring is known as the season of change that happens quickly and suddenly. Avoid catching cold from the wind, which is known to a prime culprit of illness in Chinese Medicine.
Spring Seasonal Tune Up
Acupuncture- is highly recommended! If you can, having at least four seasonal acupuncture treatments will aid the body and keep illness at bay, by enhancing the body’s immune system which supports overall wellbeing and health.
Springtime is perfect time to rebalance your body on all levels (Mind, Body and Spirit). If you experience those seasonal allergies or feelings of anger, anxiety or even self-loathing or you are feeling mentally exhausted, acupuncture can help. Enjoy Spring without any emotional or physical impairment!
The British Acupuncture Council recommends improving our sense of wellbeing with quarterly seasonal “tune ups”. Acupuncture sessions will boost energy levels and lifting mood. Regular sessions work as preventive medicine, providing harmony throughout every season of the year.
So put a Spring back into your life with Acupuncture session with Sharmin Begum at triyoga. Bookings are open now.
References
- British Acupuncture Council, www.acupuncture.org.uk
- Reichstein, Gail, “Wood becomes Water, Chinese Medicine in Everyday Life” Kodansha International(Pub),1998
- Pitchford, Paul, “Healing with Whole Foods,” North Atlanta Books (Pub), 2002
- Haas, Elson M., “Staying Healthy with the Seasons,” Celestial Arts (Pub), 2003
