Living with the seasons is a central practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. By following nature’s rhythm you begin to harmonize your relationship with the world around you.
With the advent of indoor living and climate-controlled buildings it’s easy to feel separate from the natural world. But we can maximize on seasonal transitions to amplify our wellness.
Here’s a few Chinese Medicine tips for keeping sickness at bay this autumn:
1.Wear A Scarf
You’ll notice most acupuncturists wear scarves or fluff up their collars this time of year. That’s because we know that hot and cold diseases can ride in on the back of wind.
In fact, the upper back and neck together are known as the “wind gate” in TCM. This is a vulnerable area of the body, and when exposed to the elements can make us sick.
So if you don’t want to catch a cold this fall, grab a scarf and keep the back of your neck covered when you go outside.
2. Keep Your Belly Warm
As the air gets cold and dry, it’s super helpful to keep our insides warm. In particular, stoking your digestive fire with warming and nourishing foods this time of year is super key.
It’s time to put the salads and raw foods away, and instead bust out the crock-pot to cook up some soups and stews. If you want to up the ante, dabble with some warming spices too – like cardamom, cumin, coriander, and black pepper. Not too much of course, but just enough to spice up your life a little.
3. Take Some Herbs
Plants and humans have such a rich history together. Since time immemorial people have used and respected plant leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots for their healing properties.
To boost your immune system this autumn try dabbling with herbal infusions and tinctures. Some of my favorite immune enhancers this time of year are astragalus, echinacea, and cordyceps.
4. Breathe Deeply
As the crisp autumn air settles in it’s super important to focus your attention inward. And what better way to do that than to do some daily deep breathing exercises.
One of my favorite (and simplest) ways to exercise my lungs is to use a 4 part breath. With this breathing technique you want to think of a breath cycle as having 4 parts – the inhale, a pause, the exhale, another pause. In this way a single breath becomes quite spacious.
Then slow your breathing down so that one breath cycle takes about 15 seconds to complete (i.e. 4 breaths per minute). Continue breathing deeply into your belly like this for 3-5 minutes each day.
5. Eat A Pear
Dryness is the quality of autumn. Dry cough, dry skin, and dry air. To combat this dryness it can be really helpful to eat more moistening foods. Even better if those foods are light/white in color.
For example, you’ll find Asian Pears abound this time of year (and for good reason!). They are good for regenerating body fluids, lubricating the throat, calming coughs, and healing a hoarse voice. You can either just eat them straight up, or better yet, you can make a pear sauce (think like apple sauce here) with a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg. This way, you’re warming your digestion and nourishing your lungs at the same time.
Adjust Your Behavior, Live With the Season
The key to living long and living well is largely found in the choices we make. This autumn try to live like an acupuncturist. Take note of the seasonal changes, grab your scarf, and have a bowl of soup. You might be surprised at how good you feel!
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