Transitioning from Winter to Spring

It’s spring in New England and you never know what the weather will bring.
 
Fortunately, acupuncture offers wisdom as we go through seasonal changes.
 
Traditional East Asian Medicine teaches that weather in the outer world corresponds to various systems in our bodies.
 
For each organ there is a corresponding element, season, color, emotion, tissue, temperature – and the list goes on.
 
We are now transitioning from winter, which corresponds to the water element -- the kidneys, cold, bones and fear/will -- into springtime, which corresponds to the wood element -- the liver, wind, tendons and anger/kindness.
 
Having an understanding of energetic seasonal changes can help ease the transition from one season to another.
 
This change from winter to spring is a particularly dramatic one.
 
We see this in nature.  The snow has mostly disappeared, ponds are melting and river water is flowing rapidly.  The sap is rising and we’re starting to see green shoots peeking out of the ground.
 
Energetically our bodies are also changing as we enter the time of the liver. While the physical liver has a role in digestion and detoxification, in Traditional Chinese Medicine the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of energy in the body. 
 
The smooth flow of liver energy regulates our emotions and helps to balance blood flow and hormonal changes.
 
Healthy liver energy helps us to reach out and make plans.  In trees we see it in the sap rising, green leaves emerging and signs of life reappearing – all wonderful things!
 
However, liver energy can be out of balance.  In nature, particularly this year, we see huge shifts in weather – warm spring days followed by major drops in temperature and high winds.
 
In the body, these shifts also can happen.  Excess liver energy can lead to bouts of anger.  Stagnant liver energy can lead to resentment and frustration, leading us to have difficulty  making decisions and to a feeling of stuck-ness in life.
 
Often patients will notice more difficulty sleeping or find that they’re waking up between 1 and 3am – the time of the liver on the Chinese clock.
 
Imbalanced liver energy can cause digestive issues, with foods either moving too slowly or quickly through the GI tract.  It also can lead to headaches, migraines and/or dizziness as too much Liver energy moves upward.
 
Springtime tends to heighten these imbalances. 
 
The good news is that there are ways to bring the liver energy back into balance.
 
Movement is key.
 
Physically moving improves blood flow, reduces inflammation and reduces stress.  This is a great place to start improving your liver energy & overall health.  Aim to walk or practice yoga or tai chi at least 30 minutes each day.
 
It’s also helpful to let go of any emotions that you are holding onto. 
 
An easy way to practice letting go of difficult emotions is to ask yourself how important this situation will this be in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years.  This helps bring perspective to the present situation.
 
When the liver energy is in balance we feel kindness.  When it’s out of balance, we feel anger and resentment.  Sending kindness and compassion to ourselves when we are upset, is a great way to balance liver energy.
 
As we go through this seasonal shift, may you find the balance that you need.
 
Happy Spring!