It’s the first week of October and the sun is shining here in Bristol!

Now I love autumn, but it often feels like such a fleeting season, tinged with sadness and a little grief that the summer months are now behind us. Every year I tell myself to just surrender to the change of seasons but every year I struggle. This autumn, I am returning to Chinese Medicine as my inspiration and toolkit to help me fully embrace seasonal living.

How does Chinese medicine think about the seasons?

As an unstoppable and inevitable succession of phases! A cycle of growth, flowering, harvest, decline and storing that we are powerless to resist- so why try?!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of the Five Elements is used to understand the relationships between the natural world, human life, health and wellbeing. Each of the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—are associated with a specific season. The element associated with autumn is Metal.

So what is the Metal Element about?

The Metal element is connected to qualities such as clarity, focus, and discernment. Just as the autumn winds clear away the summer's heat and humidity, Metal energy is associated with the ability to let go of what is no longer needed and to focus on what is essential.

Tips for embracing autumn using Chinese medicine

The Season of Harvest: Autumn is a time of gathering and reaping the fruits of the growing season, harvesting crops and storing them for the winter ahead. This mirrors the Metal element's characteristics of organization, structure, and precision.

What am I doing?

• Making elderberry syrup! Planning ahead to try and support my immune health through the winter months.

• Stocking up on supplements to stay strong and healthy through the winter months. I've also taken out a new veg box subscription

Organs and Meridians: In TCM, the Metal element is linked to the Lung and Large Intestine organs and meridians. The Lungs are responsible for taking in fresh Qi (energy) from the air and distributing it throughout the body, while the Large Intestine is responsible for eliminating waste. Autumn is seen as a time to support these functions, as the air becomes crisp and clear.

What am I doing?

• Booking in outside time- I have a medicinal herbs foraging trip planned and last weekend spent a day buying and planting winter flowers. I have also started buying and planning my bulb planting for later this month

• Getting acupuncture! Acupuncture can be used to support you through this seasonal change through nourishing and boosting the Lung and your immune health, helping you to stay strong and healthy. Prevention is the best cure!

Balancing Practices: Emotionally, the Metal element is associated with grief and sadness. Just as the leaves fall from trees in autumn, this is a time when we may let go of things or people we have held onto.

What am I doing?

• I’m sinking in deeper into my meditation and yoga practice, using breathing practices to maintain healthy Lung function and emotional balance.

• It's also a great time for organization and de-cluttering to create physical and mental space. I have just completed the summer to winter wardrobe switch, clearing out anything that no longer serves me and also looking for gaps in my wardrobe. What makes British winters easier- the correct clothes! Practical but cute is what I want.

Diet and Nutrition: Chinese Medicine dietary theory believes that eating the right foods at the right time will support the body. During autumn, we should eat foods that support the Lung and Large Intestine. Foods with pungent flavours, such as garlic, onions and ginger are thought to do this. We also want to protect against dryness as autumn air tends to be drier. In Chinese Medicine foods with moistening qualities are things like pears, apples, and honey.

What am I doing?

• Making apple and pear crumble and of course, So. Many. Soups.
  

Chinese Medicine tells us that autumn is a time of slowing down and preparing for the winter ahead. Listen to your body, get enough rest, and do activities that give you mental clarity and emotional balance and most importantly respect your body's natural rhythms.

Are you looking to ease the transition between seasons? Acupuncture can help! To find out more contact me here or book in for treatment.