Even though it’s still cold outside, the start of spring is only a month away. Mother Nature is about to come alive, flowers will begin to bloom, buds will appear on trees, and the barren landscape will be replaced with fresh green grass. Though most of us feel happy and enlivened in spring, all this blossoming can come with some unwelcome side effects.
As nature begins to emerge so do allergies. Many people develop symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, red itchy eyes, headaches, sore throat, fatigue and brain fog, just to name a few. If you suffer from allergies there’s no better time than now to consider using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to get your body in balance and prepare for the change of seasons.
In Chinese Medicine spring falls under the Wood element, meaning this time of year is closely related to the gallbladder and liver channels. If these channels are blocked or out of balance, it can lead to symptoms like headaches, neck and shoulder tension, eye problems and digestive issues. It’s important to keep your Qi moving this spring season for optimal health.
Here are some ways to keep your Qi moving this spring:
Clean up your diet and eat more fresh vegetables and fruit. This is a great time of year to do a detox to reset your body.
Reduce stress. Do something relaxing everyday.
Practice taking long deep breathes multiple times thoughout the day.
Start your mornings off with a light stretching exercise like yoga or tai qi.
Add in some vigorous exercise. This a great time of year to break a sweat outdoors and get your blood flowing.
Consume sour food and drinks. According to TCM, sour flavors stimulate the liver's Qi.
Seek acupuncture treatments to reduce inflammation and bring your body back into balance.