Living in Harmony with the Fall Season

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers man part of nature.Therefore, if you live in an area of changing seasons, the changes taking place in nature are also being mirrored inside of you.

To maintain health and prevent illness during fall, TCM recommends that we eat foods which grow locally this time of year and prepare for the coming winter. Transition from the salads of summer to hearty cooked meals.

The Lung and Large Intestine Meridians are most active during this season. Keeping ourselves warm will help to prevent the colds, flu and virus that appear this time of year. If you suffer from chronic cough, bronchitis, skin rashes and eczema you need to support your lung energy. A licensed acupuncturist can prescribe herbs which can help you to heal.

The emotions of sadness and grief are associated with the Lung Meridian. “Suppressed sadness and grief can damage the lungs and make us prone to disease.” Bodywork sessions can assist you to get in touch with these emotions and offer an opportunity to express them. “The issues are stored in the tissues.” When we acknowledge these emotions in constructive ways, we allow ourselves to heal.

We can also access our emotions through meditation, support groups, journaling, taking long walks, praying and talking to a therapist or close friend. This is a time for self-reflection and awareness of body, mind, and spirit. We need to be aware of all parts of ourselves in order to maintain optimum health.