Spring is Springing
As we approach the first day of Spring this year, there are a few perspectives I’d like to share with you from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) viewpoint. We’re noticing the days getting longer (about time, right?), and perhaps we’re starting to see the sun peek out more often. If you're in Victoria, you may have already experienced some warmer days recently — yay!
Spring is a time when yang energy begins to build — it’s the yang within the yin. As the yang energy ascends in the external world with more daylight, warmth, and the growth of new buds, we can also feel this shift internally. This season invites a lightening of the mood, new ideas, and excitement for creativity. But, we might also notice the energy to ascend and stagnant to the yang parts of the body like tension in the head and neck (think headaches, nausea), or a rise in agitation and frustration. If you're feeling some (or all) of these symptoms, don't worry — you're not alone!
In TCM, the liver and gallbladder are associated with Spring, as well as the wood element. The liver plays an essential role in the smooth flow of energy (qi) within the body. In Western medicine, the liver is crucial for detoxification, metabolic functions, recycling red blood cells, and much more. It harmonizes the body’s systems, keeping everything running smoothly. Without it, we would feel sluggish, bogged down by a buildup of metabolic waste.
When our energy is out of flow with life, we can feel stuck or stagnant. During this transitional time between winter and spring, the body’s internal energy can get blocked as it tries to rise and flow. Just like saplings emerging from the ground, reaching toward the sun and their potential, we too can focus our attention on the light and embrace our own growth. Spring is the perfect time to reconnect with ourselves and our dreams.
Ways to Move Liver Stagnation:
Allow time for creativity (painting, drawing, building, etc.)
Exercise/movement
Journaling
Spending time in nature
Greens + Sour flavour: dandelion leaf, peppermint, chard, kale, lemon, ginger, turmeric
Embrace this season of growth and renewal. Use the energy of Spring to nourish your body and soul, and watch your own potential begin to blossom. 🌸
