The autumn leaves have made their yearly transition to beautiful golden, red and bronze hues and are gracefully falling from the trees into the cool, crisp air. Fall is in full swing. As we enjoy boots, sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes (here is a healthier version), there are several health implications to consider. In this post, we’ll explain what to expect from Autumn, according to Classical Chinese Medicine and provide tips to maximize good health during this whimsical season.
According to Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM), we should structure our lives in accordance with nature’s seasonal patterns in order to facilitate a state of harmony. CCM designates a ruling element and an associated organ pair for each season. For the fall season, metal is the ruling element, which is associated with the lungs and the large intestine.
What does this mean for you? The energy of fall means that your body might be more susceptible to certain imbalances such as Dryness, Wind Cold Invasion and Wei qi (immune system) weakness. However, it also means that you can use nature’s energy to maximize your productivity and effectiveness in certain types of activities.
What You Should Do to Harness the Energy of the Harvest Season
- Try Qi gong! Qi gong is really helpful this time of year in helping adjust to the new season, maintaining mental and physical energy levels.
- Get your rest! During fall, the days are become shorter and there are longer periods of darkness. Go with the flow of the season by getting to bed early and rising with the sun.
- Bundle up! Embrace sweater weather and dress seasonally to protect your lungs. Scarves are the perfect accessory to keep you fashionable and healthy as we reacquaint ourselves with cooler temperatures.
- Eat healthy, seasonal (local and organic, if possible) food. Here is a great list.
- Focus on your immune system. Decrease stress, schedule some acupuncture and take immune balancing nutrients if you need them.
- Laugh. Here’s a great piece from The Onion, which pokes fun at how much we all treasure this time of year.
How does your body respond to the change of seasons? How do you use this to your advantage? Share your comments below.
