It’s Spring and it’s amazing outside! Why do I feel bad???
Yes, it’s amazing out right now. Everything is in bloom, shouldn’t you feel vibrant as well? Of course you should, but it’s just as likely that you’re feeling out of whack with the transitional weather. It’s common to have allergies in the spring, or skin outbreaks, headaches, etc. Your digestion may feel “off”. If this is the case, don’t fret. There are a number of options available to getting adjusted so you can enjoy enjoy this amazing time of year.
Chinese medicine believes that we, as humans, should live in resonance with the seasons and their patterns. In the winter, we are supposed to be like the seed. We hibernate, reflect on the way we grew, the people we met, and determine if we are satisfied with how that has shaped who we are and how we exist. It’s almost universal that there needs to be something tweaked in how we are going about things; there’s always something to improve upon. We start mapping out the way that is supposed to happen, much like the seed contains the genetic blueprint to make a plant grow. Then we blossom, much like the leaves on the trees and flowers on the plants. This is associated with the Liver; it’s energy is said to ascend, so that we may grow out in new directions.
As energy ascends and temperatures warm, there is often a detox that goes along with this. Anything that was stored in your body is now trying to get out. The head is on top; there are often a lot of symptoms that happen there in the spring. This includes allergies, eye problems, headaches, etc. Things also excrete through the skin and bowels, so you could see a rash or digestive distress.
It is best if you encourage your body to detox during this time. Sweating is a great and simple way to do this. Get out there and be active! Anything that involves twisting is said to help the Liver meridian activate, be it yoga or something like tennis. Digestively, this is a good time to lighten the foods you are eating. You should be very cautious with fried foods or anything else that is heavy or greasy, and instead incorporate as much fresh vegetables as possible. This is a great time of year to get into salads.
Sometimes, we can do these things and still not feel better. Sometimes, the meridians associated with detoxification (there are numerous ones) can be plugged. This will inhibit your ability to properly flush things out. Often times, it can be a simple fix that will have you feeling better immediately and amazing with just a few treatments.
If you haven’t been in to see your acupuncturist in a while, this would be a great time to get checked out. You would especially want to get tuned up before the heat of summer arrives. Do you need to be reminded of what it’s like to not feel great and deal with intense heat? Hopefully not. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Kevin