Happy pumpkin spice & cozy sweater season! Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) connects what happens in our internal environment to our external environment. The shift in seasons often inspires us to change our routine, clean house and we, as your Calgary acupuncturists, tend to see patterns that occur within each of the patients that come into clinic during each season. The seasons correspond to each of the five elements in TCM that allow us to better understand the impact of the environment on our bodies. These elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire & Earth which are paired with Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer & Late Summer respectively. When we look at outside at nature, we can better understand our bodies & any dis-ease that manifests in this season.
How to Best Take Care of Yourself in Autumn According to TCM:
Stay Hydrated
Autumn is associated with Dryness, which can manifest as dry cough, thirst, constipation or dry mouth, eyes, nose & skin. I don’t know about you, but I have already found myself reaching for the lotion to stay moisturized!! On top of getting your daily intake of water, sneak in some herbal teas and/or electrolytes to keep your body hydrated.
Organize Your Space
As we prepare to spend more time at home during the colder months, prep your space and make it cozy! The metal element loves structure and decisiveness so free yourself from clutter and donate what you no longer need in your home or office space.
Eat Seasonally
Time to ditch the summer salads and iced drinks! Embrace soups and stews made with fall harvest vegetables such as squash, sweet potatoes, beets and pumpkin. Strengthen the lungs with pungent foods such as garlic, onion and ginger to flavour your soups and boost immunity as we enter cold & flu season.
Keep Warm
Grab your scarves, cozy socks & probably several layers with Calgary’s changing weather! In TCM, viruses typically enter the body through Wind so we want to bundle up and protect ourselves from sick season.
Practice Letting Go
Just as the trees shed their leaves at this time of year, we can learn to also let go of what’s not serving us. Whether it’s physical clutter as mentioned above, or any negativity in our personal lives, decide what you want to carry with you as we move towards the colder months. This is usually easier said than done so be gentle with yourself as you set some boundaries & take care of you.
Come for Acupuncture
Your acupuncturist works to balance the elements and boost you up during seasons of transition. Treatments can be focused on strengthening the immune system, decreasing stress levels, combatting symptoms of Dryness or anything you’re facing in this season where you’re feeling not quite like yourself.
Change can be challenging and always comes with a big adjustment period. Offer yourself compassion as you navigate what this new season looks like for you. Curious to learn more? Talk to your Calgary acupuncturist at your next treatment at Botanical Point Acupuncture & Wellness for an in-depth consultation of what would work best in your treatment plan moving forward. Whether it’s acupuncture, herbal formulas, cosmetic treatments or manual osteopathy – we have options to help you get grounded & let go in the fall season. Book here to set your fall self-care session.