Essential Spring Wellness Tips

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is the quintessential time of creating, cleansing, activity and movement, growth, and renewal. Spring is associated with the Wood element. It’s also an auspicious time to focus on releasing emotions that no longer serve us—specifically those rooted in anger, resentment, frustration, and lethargy.

Just like bare, dormant trees being to grow buds and blossom; we too can harness the power of spring to slough off the old and usher in a fresh, beautiful new experience of health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. The Wood element is related to the liver and gallbladder organs. According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, the liver is responsible for the smooth flowing of Qi (energy) throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly.

Small Daily Shifts

Stretch

The liver controls the tendons. According to Chinese medicine, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch into your routine. Increase your movement—start an exercise program of walking, dancing, Qi Gong, yoga, running, rebounding, swimming, etc.

Eye Exercises

The liver opens into the eyes. Although all the organs have some connection to the health of the eyes, the liver is connected to proper eye function. Remember to take breaks when looking at a computer monitor for extended periods of time and do eye exercises.

Get Outside

Outside air helps liver qi flow. If you have been feeling irritable, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver qi stagnation. Even a simple morning or evening walk is very therapeutic.

Get Acupuncture Treatments

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help improve the overall health of your liver as well as treat stress, anger, and frustration, which are often associated with liver qi disharmony.

Eat Green Green is the color of the liver and of springtime. Eating young plants - fresh, leafy greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses - can improve the liver’s overall functions and aid in the movement of qi. Leafy greens like dandelion, watercress, chickweed, baby greens, chard, lettuces, sprouts, and arugula all have powerful Liver/Gall Bladder purifying qualities, and can be easily incorporated into your diet.

Add Sour Foods

Sour foods and drinks with sour tastes are thought to stimulate the liver's qi. Put lemon slices in your drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil for your salad dressing. Lemon or apple cider vinegar are also beneficial to move bile, especially taken in warm water first thing in the morning. Garnish your sandwich with a slice of dill pickle.

Stay Warm

Like fall, spring typically hosts high winds; which means we need to layer up if we want to protect ourselves from spring colds, allergies, and other immune-related challenges. This doesn’t mean you have to wear a down coat if it’s 70 degrees out, of course. But a light scarf and windbreaker can go a long way in protecting your lungs from the effects of excessive wind. It’s also advisable to continue consuming warm, cooked foods and liquids, in addition to the more cooling foods mentioned above (salads, etc.).

Emotional Support

This can be a difficult transitional time of year for many people. The sudden, intense, upward energy of spring can leave us - in our relatively slowed and quiet state of winter - feeling stuck, frustrated, short-tempered and anxious. As the organ most affected by stagnant emotions and stress, Liver stagnation or an overactive Liver can cause some significant emotional build up. However, if managed and balanced, spring is one of the best times of year to make some intentional personal and emotional development progress because the Liver, as the Yin organ, is responsible for the smooth flow of blood and emotions throughout the body. In addition, the Gall Bladder, as the Yang organ partner to the Liver, is responsible for storing and excreting bile and governs decision making, planning, dreaming, inspiration, and assertiveness. If you’ve been waiting for the right time and the right push to inspire an emotional or spiritual breakthrough, take advantage of the season.

While bolstering Liver/Gall Bladder health can help move nearly all emotions and stressors, the following emotional discords are directly related to these organs:

Anger

Depression

Frustration

Inability to forgive

Indecisiveness

Irritability

Lack of assertion

Lethargy

Letting go of old habits or pain

Procrastination

Rage

Resentment

Unfulfilled desires

The emotional signs of healthy Liver/Gall Bladder Qi flow include:

A forgiving spirit

Assertiveness

Decisive

Even-temper/go with the flow

Fulfilled

Happiness

Inspired

Joy

Passionate

Willingness to let go

Journal Prompts for the season

What did you let go of that perhaps you don’t want back in your life?

What do you determine now as essential vs. not?

What is your vision for yourself and your life? Can you align to what your are about most deeply?

What is your plan? How do you execute your vision?

Plants only head towards the sun, while their roots reach deep in the ground for nutrition and stability of the earth that came before it. Can we be so clear in ourselves? What are we growing towards?