Aw, Springtime! I don’t know about you, but this has been a long-awaited change of seasons for me this year!
As spring comes in, we begin to see flowers in bloom, and the sun begins to soften and warm the earth and our backs. There is this sense of new beginnings, regeneration, and a renewal of spirit.
This season is a transition from Yin energy to a season of Yang energy: dark to light, death to growth, and cold to warmth. Imbalances can arise at this time of transition and can show up emotionally and physically. You may notice feelings of irritability, impatience, resentment, quick to anger, and rashness, to name a few. Signs of a healthy liver and gallbladder system are joy, feeling inspired, fulfilled, assertive, decisive, forgiving, vibrant and healthy.
Spring is a wonderful time to focus on cleansing and rejuvenating ourselves for overall health and well-being.
In Chinese Medicine, Spring is represented by the wood element, which includes the liver and the gallbladder. These two organs are usually a primary focus for springtime cleansing and healthy activities.
SMOOTH SAILING
The liver is responsible for the smooth flowing of vital energy throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity also run smoothly.
Here are some tips to flow smoothly into spring:
Ease into exercise with gentle movements - Stretch your tendons through yoga or tai qi. Even better yet, engage in these movement exercises outside. Exercising outside will start to untangle any stagnation that developed over the winter months.
Bring fresh, young leafy greens and sprouts onto your plate, add in some sour foods like a splash of lemon in your water first thing in the morning. Avoid alcohol, greasy, fatty foods that are hard on your liver, especially if you are experiencing any of the emotional upsets of the organs.
Keep warm and protected from the wind with a scarf or hoodie when outside.
Take eye breaks when looking at a computer screen all day
In spring it is just as important to detox your home as it is your body. Spring cleaning is a term for this reason. Spend some time decluttering, organizing and cleaning one room at a time.
FRESH STARTS
Spring is the time for newness, for changing direction, for changing what does not work for you any longer. It is the time to start new projects and let go of old ones.
It is an opportunity for a fresh start. Similar to clearing out our homes and physical spaces, spring is a time to let go of what no longer serves us emotionally and welcome fresh perspectives.
It is a time to reflect and listen to inner knowledge. Identify the “dust” we don’t want to carry any longer and to create a plan for change.
Some questions to ponder:
Are there any old emotional burdens that you are still carrying?
What life attitudes or habits are no longer serve you well?
Do you have relationships, activities, hobbies or duties that do not feel beneficial to you anymore?
How is your living environment? Is it right for you, or is it time to make a change?
Use the energy of the Spring to enhance your life choices and fuel your new direction!
SPRING WISDOM
Imagine a forest and its strong, healthy Wood element. The trees with their strong roots remind you to stay calm, flexible, and unbothered by seeming or temporary deviations from your path.
Welcome the wisdom of the Wood element!
Invite flexibility into your awareness as we shift from the depths of winter to the brightness of Spring. Support your Liver and Gallbladder systems by making adjustments to your lifestyle and diet.
Enjoy living in tune with the season!
OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH
At the change of any season, it is easy for the body-mind to lose its natural state of balance. Doing a seasonal repatterning during these times can give your system an extra boost of support.
If you have noticed an uncomfortable transition into spring or you would like to take full advantage of increasing your wood element and opportunities for growth this season, please reach out to me here.
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