Springtime & Chinese Medicine

Spring has sprung!

As we enjoy the evermore present sunshine, warmer weather, and longer daylight hours, our bodies undergo a similar awakening as the natural systems in our beautiful Montana environments.

The springtime rebirth and revival of the world around us is the perfect time to revitalize ourselves after the long winter months of being cooped up indoors. Many of us are looking forward to the fresh air, abundant vegetation, the shedding of old layers, embracing change, and cultivating our futures
As the seasons are changing, so are we. Using the freshness and vitality of springtime in pursuing healthy habits can make all the positive difference.

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!“

A Few Ways to Assist Our Liver Function This Spring

 

Follow these key TCM tips for maintaining your Liver in the Springtime.

Stretching

By implementing stretching in to your daily routine, it opens the energetic pathways to the Liver that encourage the healthy flow of qi. This helps to prevent and expel energy stagnation that has accumulated throughout the winter. Stretching also assists in preventing injury or discomfort resulting from any exciting outdoor activities. Incorporating breathing exercises along with your stretching techniques nourishes the Lungs and Liver, also encouraging the free flow of energy through multiple bodily systems. The goal is to mirror the reawakening of nature in ourselves.

Diet

After indulging in substantial, hearty meals thought out the winter, springtime is the time for cleansing and detoxifying the body to promote healthy digestion. In Chinese Medicine, the color of spring energy is green, just like the foods we should be eating to nourish our bodies for the change in season. Leafy greens are a wonderful place to start when transiting from a winter to spring diet. Foods like kale, arugula, basil, lettuce, sprouts and asparagus strengthen the Liver resulting in healthy digestion, the free flow of qi, and nourishment of the organs.

Get Outside!

While exiting the long months of feeling the chill and stationary sensations of winter, getting outside to indulge in the fresh air and sunlight does wonders for helping us in replenishing qi. Doing stretches, Qi Gong, or yoga outdoors energizes the body helping us to remain healthy and balanced. Making simple changes like these to your daily routine can make a significant difference in your overall wellness.

Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Tuning in with our thoughts and emotions during the spring season helps us to remain grounded, balanced, and nourished. As the earth begins to thaw and big changes continue to happen in our communities and social lives, replenishing our inner reserves and energy is vital in maintaining our wellbeing. Here are some relaxing and fulfilling ways to guide your qi this spring.

Take Care of Your Gall Bladder

Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches that both the Liver and the Gall Bladder play a heavy role in our emotional prosperity. In addition to leafy greens, foods like oranges, coconut milk, cucumber, dill, green tea, grapefruit, and spring onions promote Gall Bladder health and can be used in refreshing springtime recipes.

Setting New Intentions & Aspirations

Spring is a time of renewal and revitalization – a time to start something new. By focusing our energy onto new tasks and endeavors, our qi moves easily throughout the system and we cultivate our creativity and readiness for changes and new beginnings.

Breathe Deeply

As we passage into spring, it is simple to stifle unpleasant emotions. These repressed feelings tend to rise up to chest and result in stagnation of energy. Taking deep, intentional breaths encourages our respiratory system to slow down our breathing, pull our emotions into our abdomen, releasing them. As the temperatures rise, the great outdoors is the ideal place to practice breathing mindfulness exercises such as these.

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