5 Tips for Feeling Good During Spring

After a long hibernation, enjoying the darker, quieter hours of winter, I am back with the spring!

Spring has officially sprung: the weather is getting warmer, plants are blooming, and the days are getting longer. The Spring is a time of renewal, when the energy that has been resting and collecting during winter, has built up the momentum to literally spring forth. Dormant plants and animals begin to emerge, as energy moves from a contracted state to a more expansive one. Our bodies follow this pattern as well. The Spring is ruled by the Wood Element which governs the Liver. The Wood of the Liver is rising and expanding along with the plants outside. This can overstimulate the Liver causing health challenges such as:

• Irritability and anger

• Headaches and migraines

• Rashes and skin eruptions

• Depression

• Digestive issues (bloating, indigestion, heartburn)

• Worsening of PMS or female health issues

• Insomnia

Luckily there are many ways to help soothe our Livers and reestablish balance during the season of the Wood Element.

5 tips for staying healthy during the spring time

1. Move your body! Make sure to get a little exercise every day, whether it be going for a walk, dancing to music, working out, yoga, tai chi, jogging, hiking, etc. Moving the body, moves the blood, which moves the qi, also moving the Liver qi. Stuck Liver qi makes us feel stuck, stagnant, and irritable, so get that energy moving!

2. Eat your greens. The Liver and the Wood Element are ruled by the color green. Eating fresh, organic greens will help decongest the Liver. Try making a soup or smoothie and blending in spinach, kale, or your favorite green food. Try adding a small salad to each meal. Have a green juice. If having digestive issues, don’t overdo raw greens or consume too many sugary smoothies/juices, and instead add to a soup or gently cook before eating.

3. Tap both sides of the abdomen and brush down while breathing deeply. The Liver is on the right and the Spleen is on the left, so this will help activate both organs, moving out any heat or dampness. This move is great if you’re having digestive issues or any of the Liver symptoms listed above.

4. Do some spring cleaning. Since this is the season of renewal, it is a time for taking in the new and releasing the old. This can mean changing our diets and eliminating unhealthy foods. This can also literally mean cleaning our homes and closets and getting rid of what is no longer needed. It’s also a great time for forming new habits and patterns. Make a list of 5 things you want to do or change this spring and stick with it!

5. Drink more water and less alcohol and caffeine. Water helps flush out toxins, hydrating the body. Caffeine and alcohol are considered “hot” in Chinese Medicine and can aggravate an overstimulated liver and also encourage dehydration, so best to consume in moderation.

Tap the Lungs to Boost the Immune System

The fall, in Chinese Medicine, is ruled by the Metal Element, governed by the Lungs and Large Intestine organ system. The Lungs are what control the body’s defensive Wei Qi or immune system. If the Lungs are weak, the immune system can be weak as well, leaving the body vulnerable to external pathogens such as colds and flus. Deficient Lung energy can also manifest as grief or sadness, sometimes popping up during the Fall season as well.

We can use acupressure and essential oils to help regulate the Lungs to prevent illness and boost emotional health. If we do get sick, these strategies also help us get better faster and alleviate symptoms.

Essential oils not only smell great, but have so many practical uses. Click here for an overview of essential oils and how they are used in Chinese Medicine.

The Lung meridian runs from the inner front shoulder, along the front arm, to the thumb.

• The Lung meridian, on the outside of the body, starts at the inside of the shoulder on the front of the body (Lung 1 point) and travels down the front of the arm ending at the thumb.

  • Tapping Lung 1 helps bring energy and support to the Lungs.

  • Brushing the lung meridian clears and opens the meridian pathway.

    Lung energy can get stuck, resulting in phlegm, congestion, sadness, grief, heat, dryness, coldness, and other signs. Brushing the meridian is not only comforting, but helps move out these energies, making room for fresh qi.

• While breathing deeply, tap Lung 1 three times and brush down the arm to the thumb, slightly pulling at the thumb, to pull out any of the energies mentioned above. Do this now for the other arm. Alternate arms tapping and brushing for 3-5 minutes. You can do this for longer as well.

• To increase the benefits, add a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil (there are many varieties, but don’t worry about the type) and peppermint essential oil or rosemary essential oil to your hands. If you are sensitive to oils, make sure to dilute in a couple drops of carrier oil.

  • Eucalyptus essential oil has an affinity with the Lungs, encouraging the release of wind (ie. pathogens) and dampness (ie. phlegm) from the respiratory tract. Eucalyptus is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antipyretic (fever reducing), and a decongestant.

  • Peppermint essential oil also helps the release of wind, but has a cooling effect as well, which is great when there is fever, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, or a dry cough.

  • Rosemary essential oil can be used in place of peppermint if you are feeling cold and don’t have a infection, fever, headache, or sore throat (heat symptoms). Rosemary helps activate the immune system by increasing circulation and movement of the Wei Qi to the surface. Since rosemary is stimulating and moving, it is contraindicated if there are heat symptoms or high blood pressure. Rosemary is analgesic, antiviral, mucolytic, and an expectorant.

    Here is a short video demonstration: