We have another month ahead before officially stepping into spring and yet many have already noticed some first awakening signs of Nature telling us that the new season is on its way. Spring is the season when Nature starts a new cycle of life and as such it has and important effect upon our health too. This is the right time to set up some simple routines in order to get the body ready for the new surge of vitality after the dormant months of winter.
In the Five Elements theory, spring is represented by the element of Wood, which relates to the organ system of the Liver in the human body. Wood is the element of birth, the sprouting phase of Qi moving upwards and outwards guided by the Yang surging from the deepest Yin of Water, the element associated to winter, when Nature retreats in a dormant state of stillness.
In the body the Liver governs the tendons and the soft tissues, distributes Qi and blood and clears the blood from toxins while storing it when the body is at rests; the free flow of Qi in the Liver is crucial to the stability of the emotional wellbeing as well as to the efficiency of the other organs’ functions. For such role the Liver is seen as the General of the army that secures supplies to the whole body, supported at cognitive level by its paired organ the Gallbladder in terms of decision making skill, the ability to organise, prioritise and making sure that the vision of the General translates in actual actions.
The holistic approach of Chinese medicine pays great attention to the relationship between human’s health and the environment; it is crucial in fact that the qualities of the Qi of the two harmonise in order to guarantee health within the body. While approaching springtime, here are a few tips to work with in order to move away from the stillness of wintertime and adopt a more dynamic lifestyle that better resonates with the dominant Yang Qi of the season.
1. DIET and lifestyle
During wintertime we tend to reduce our activity and increase the amount of food. This combination tends to cause accumulation of fats and toxins that it is highly recommended to eliminate when it comes to approach the new season. The toxins in fact will clog the Liver and impair its functions with domino effect on all the activities mentioned above.
In terms of diet, I advice introducing a lighter approach:
- lighter food, which means less fat and greasy food as well as less sugars and alcohol
- lighter portions, which helps to prevent digestive stagnation
2. DETOX
There are many natural options available for detoxing the body, I advice to refer to a qualified herbalist or nutritionist in order to define the best choice for your needs and constitution but make sure that your plan focuses on the Liver.
3. EXERCISE
After the stillness of winter, it is now the moment to start some gentle preparation for the more active time ahead both by clearing the body from toxins and by getting rid of any possible stagnation within the tissues. The aim is to prepare our soft tissues and sinews to be supple and flexible, including attention to the free movement of the joints where those tissues attach and bind. In this way the surge of Yang will find all pathways open and adaptable, without creating any further obstructions that would increase stagnation and eventually create heat in the body as well as in the mind.
Think about joining a Qigong or Yoga class under the guidance of a teacher to help your body open up, detox and release, whereas stretching, walking and cycling are all good ideas to explore as part of your self-care activities to keep your mind and body in good exercise.
Book a discovery call if you want to know how I can help you with my clinic sessions or support your lifestyle with customised advice either in person or remote sessions.