Spring is Hope
Spring is finally here! Energy and hope are emerging everywhere. This has been an entire year of social distancing, working from home, staying in and keeping to ourselves; actions typically reserved for the winter season. So energetically, March to March has felt like one long, eternal winter. But now, with the warmer weather, we can have picnics and long walks and park meet ups without frostbite. Just the thought of these small acts brings hope and excitement. People are feeling this exponentially this year but each and every season our energy shifts. This is the natural cycle of the seasons.
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) it is believed there are 5 seasons:
Spring - birth, hope, creating, cleansing, new ideas and plans, the element of wood
Summer - movement, relationships, growth, the element of fire
Late Summer - stability, harvest, nurturing and the element of earth
Autumn - letting go, purging, and the element of Metal
Winter - rest, reflection, staying in, and the element of water
From The Eternal Winter to Super Charged Spring
Our energy is shifting and changing to welcome the sun and warmth. The energy of normal Spring seasons is compounded by the glimmer of hope that this year of isolation and missing is coming to an end. Vaccines are being given by the millions per day, businesses are opening back up, people are starting to travel again, and hopefully we will all be able to hug our grandparents again without worry. Life is returning. It’s glorious. We should make the most of this super charged Spring.
In preparation for and during the Spring season there are things we can do to facilitate that transition.
Focus on Liver/Gallbladder in the Spring
The Liver/Gallbladder are at their most active in the Spring. LR/GB are related to the eyes- clear vision and moving forward, tendons- which can effect flexibility, the smooth flow of qi and emotions.
Start to move your body more. Activity moves qi and blood and this helps to smooth the Liver qi which in turn helps sooth emotions and calm stress.
Try more stretching to invigorate your tendons.
Eat small amounts of sour foods. And a lot of green foods!
Green is the color of Spring and the flavor is sour. So eating foods with these qualities at this time will cleanse the Liver and help get your body detoxed after a winter of comfort foods. Some green and/or sour food examples are: limes, lemon, vinegar, tomato, oranges, kiwi, sprouts, rhubarb, pickles, adzuki beans, and Schisandra berry. Adding lemon or apple cider vinegar to your water especially first thing in the morning is additionally helpful to the detox process.
Make Plans and Get Creative This Spring
There is no better time than Spring time to create something. The energy of the season is palpable. Go with it and use it to your advantage. Open your laptop and write the first draft of the book you’ve been turning over in your head, start outlining the business plan for that pet birthday party company you’ve been thinking about opening, start sanding that table you’ve been wanting to redo. Whatever it is, big or small, make the plans, and start, start start. Don’t miss out on this once a year energy to find your motivation. The time is now!
Acupuncture Helps Prepare You for Spring
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can also be a huge part of transitioning from season to season. Acupuncture and herbs help correct imbalances in the body. There are many ways to do this at this time of year- soothing the liver/gallbladder, working on the immune system by way of the Lung and Spleen to prevent Spring allergies, draining dampness out of the body to aid in the cleansing process. Each individual will come in with their own imbalances and your acupuncturist will determine what set of points will be most beneficial and what herbal formulas are appropriate.
At Garden Acupuncture, we are here to help our community in the Spring and any time year. If you are interested in learning more about the ancient art of Chinese Medicine or scheduling an appointment to start your journey to balance, click https://gardenacu.com/.