Keep your body and mind on track this season with these acupuncture-inspired self-care tips.
Fall is right around the corner.
New seasons are an opportunity to assess our states of health and realign with our natural rhythms.
From an acupuncture perspective, fall is about refinement. It’s time to pare down, to let go of the excesses we allowed ourselves in summer and focus on what’s necessary for winter.
In acupuncture theory, humans are viewed as microcosms of the natural world that surrounds them. Weather and climate, particularly during the transition from one season to another, factor significantly into acupuncture diagnoses and treatment plans.
The transition into fall is especially noteworthy because it signifies moving from the more active seasons to the more passive. This directly impacts how we feel, and how we prevent and treat illness.
Each season is linked with a natural element, organ and emotion. The element, organ and emotion of fall are, respectively, Metal, Lung and grief. These three things usher us throughout the season, serving as barometers for where we’re at and offering insight on how to be better.
With Metal, Lung and grief as our guides, here are seven acupuncture tips for staying healthy this fall.
Make a list of your priorities
Fall is when we ought to embrace our Metal-esque qualities: strong, definitive, focused, discerning. It is time to get down to business, to gain clarity about what really matters to us.
As satisfying as this can be, it also can be overwhelming. If I hunker down at work, how will I make time for the kids? If I focus on cooking healthy meals and eating at home to save money, how will I socialize with friends?
Make a list of which priorities deserve your attention. Write them down and glance at the list periodically throughout the season.
Fall heightens our innate ability to get stuff done. Take advantage of it by reminding yourself where to focus.
Wear a scarf
Acupuncturists are always going on about wearing scarves. It’s for good reason.
Lung, the organ associated with fall, is considered the most exterior organ. It is the first line of defense against external pathogenic factors. As the weather turns cold and the wind picks up, the Lung organ is extra vulnerable.
Further, pathogenic factors such as cold and wind invade the body at the back of the neck, so keeping that area protected is very important in the fall. Even if it’s sunny, always bring a scarf when you head outside.
Read Full Article Here: 7 Acupuncture Tips for a Healthy Fall
Harlan Evans Blog 