It’s the Autumnal Equinox and fall is definitely in the air as the school year begins and everyone in our neighborhood collects the last of their garden harvests and tidies up their flower beds before the leaves descend.
In Chinese medicine, the fall season is associated with the Lung and Large Intestine meridians and organs –think taking in what you need and letting go of what no longer serves you.
It follows the natural flow of the season; much like the trees, leaves fall to store internal energy in preparation for winter. By following this natural direction, Chinese medicine prepares the body, mind, and spirit for the next phase of the year.
Here are a few simple suggestions taken from traditional chinese medicine practices for this transitional time of year:
DIET
Cook meals with sautéed vegetables (less water and at a lower heat). This will warm but not overcook your veggies.
Return to root vegetables with warm fragrances to nourish the blood in preparation for winter.
Add small amounts of sour foods to astringe the scattered hubbub of summertime and focus energy toward this yin and inward-facing time of year.
LIFESTYLE
At first, you may want to wear your heaviest coat on the cool mornings, but Chinese medicine principles recommend donning light and breathable layers to keep your skin covered but not over-heated.
Wear socks around the house (and out and about) to keep your feet warm and yin channels covered as we move toward the Yin/Winter/Colder/Darker time of year.
Remember scarves? Wrap your favorite one around your neck before heading out as an aid in keeping warm that is easily removable if you become overly hot.
With outdoor exercise, practice mindful breathing to help your lungs adjust to the cooler temperatures.
Rehydrate with room temperature or even warm water, which takes less energy to assimilate into the body.
If your throat feels dry, cook a soup with kombu seaweed or drink some slippery elm tea.
Most importantly, know that fall is a time of creating order by letting go of the mental, physical and spiritual clutter.
Personally, I love cleaning out my gardening shed and preparing for the fall ahead. Or, maybe you want to host a clothing exchange to share clothes that no longer fit your look. Either way, act like your lungs should: take in what’s needed for vitality and release the old carbon dioxide. The trees would love to have it.
If you’re feeling extra joint stiffness or muscle tightness with the cooler weather or haven’t been in for a while and would like a tune-up during this transitional season, we’d love to see you!
Author: Winslett Carr, LAc, MSAOM. Learn more about Winslett here and check out her previous post: Before, During, and After Acupuncture: Tips for How to Feel Your Best
