Wellness Tips for a Balanced Spring Season
Spring Equinox is here which means a shift is happening in nature. You may notice the birds are out and about, the bees are bustling around the flowers, new plant growth is sprouting everywhere, and the tree pollen is making a nice coating on your car, and stuffing up your nose! (See my blog post on seasonal allergies for some relief here.)
From a Chinese Medical perspective there are five elements (fire, earth, metal, water, wood) that have corresponding organs, seasons, climate, color, emotions, smells, sounds and tastes. The theory helps us to better understand and navigate the world we live in.
Spring Season - The Wood Element
Organ: Liver/Gallbladder
Season: Spring
Color: Green
Flavor: Sour
Emotion: Anger
Climate: Wind
Sensory Organ: Eyes
Direction: East
Development: Birth
Spring is the season of the Wood element, the Liver, and the color green. The energetics of spring is upward and outward (like a new flower bud reaching for the sunlight above the soil). It is a time to come out of hibernation, start new projects, expand and move outward into the world. It is the season of new beginnings, growth, and opportunity.
The Liver, according to Chinese Medicine, is responsible for the smooth flow of energy in the body (Qi) and correlates to the emotion of anger. When the Liver channel is out of balance, energy (Qi) stagnates, anger rises up, and frustrations, stress, and muscle tension ensue. During Springtime, the Liver organ/channel is most affected by this season, thus, we can modify our diet and lifestyle to support the Liver.
Supporting the Liver
Exercise
Walking, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga, Chair Yoga, Stretching, Bike rides
Take a 15-20 minute walk after dinner every day. Getting outside in fresh air does wonders for our body, mind, and spirit. I can’t emphasize this enough! (Just ask my kids, they will tell you!)
Do yoga stretches at night while watching TV or before bedtime.
It does not have to be hours at the gym to benefit from movement. Moving your body frees up the stagnant energy, aids in digestion, balances the mood, and soothes the mind.
Your Liver will thank you.
Diet/Nutrition
Dandelion Greens help detoxify the Liver
Remember, the Wood element correlates to the color green, so eat more greens!
Vegetables: cooked spinach, swiss chard, dandelion greens, asparagus, artichokes, green beans, brocolli, sprouts, dark green lettuce
Fruits: kiwi, grapes, avocado
Beans: lima beans, green lentils.
Drinks: Slice of lemon in water to aid in detoxification (one of your Liver’s functions), green tea, dandelion tea, peppermint tea
Sour: lemons, limes, fermented foods, pomegranates, berries
Add more of these foods into your daily meals for extra Liver support.
Mood Support
Seek out nature to calm the anger and frustration that stirs up during the Wood Element/Spring season.
Breathe in the fresh air, soak in the sunshine, listen to the songs of the birds in the morning, and take a moment to take in your surroundings. Mindfulness helps quiet the mind chatter, and quiet the chaotic emotions.
Take time at a red light to take some deeper breaths, making sure the belly is expanding on each inhalation and contracting on each exhalation. You can even say to yourself, “I am breathing in calm, and breathing out peace.”
Acupuncture brings balance to the mind, body and spirit.
Acupuncture “tune ups” support the Liver function during the seasonal change, smoothes the flow of energy (Qi) , balances the mood, and aids in seasonal allergies.
Stay tuned for a deeper dive into the Wood Element and how to best support our body during the Spring Season.
As always Sarasota, I am here for your health and wellness needs.
Happy Spring!
Dr. Jen