De natuur heeft geen haast en toch wordt alles bereikt.
— Lao Tzu
Your health affects that of your pets. And therefore this time a blog with some tips to get through the autumn healthy.
Part of the TCM philosophy is to empathize with the seasons. According to Taoism, mirroring nature makes us healthier. This is almost impossible to do in our current 24/7 world. When it gets dark we just turn on the lamp, our working hours remain the same and almost all foods are available all year round. Still, there are plenty of things we can do to take the season into account. Many people already do this naturally. For example, it may be that in the winter you feel more like getting under the wool early and you may feel more like a soup than a salad at lunch.
Autumn is the transition between the warm summer (yang) and the cold winter (yin). The days are getting shorter, the temperature is going down again and the nature around us is preparing for winter. Traditionally, autumn was the time to harvest and stock up for the winter.
From the TCM’s point of view, autumn is the season of the element metal. The Yin organ that belongs to this are the Lungs, and the large intestine is the corresponding Yang organ. The lungs and colon could use some extra support in this season!
Other associations with the metal element are: the color white, the taste sharp, the nose, dryness and the emotion sadness.
In one of the most important writings on the TCM “The Yellow Emperor’s classic of medicine” the following is written about autumn:
In the three months of autumn all things in nature reach their full maturity. The grains ripen and harvesting occurs. The heavenly energy cools, as does the weather. The wind begins to stir. This is the changing or pivoting point when the yang phase turns into its opposite, the yin phase. One should retire with the sunset and arise with the dawn. Just as the weather in autumn turns harsh, so does the emotional climate. It is therefore important to remain calm and peaceful, refraining from depression so that one can make the transition to winter smoothly. This is the time to gather one’s spirit and energy, be more focused, and not allow desires to run wild. One must keep the lung energy full, clean and quiet. This means practicing breathing exercises to enhance lung qi. Also, one should refrain from both smoking and grief, the emotion of the lung.
One of the easiest ways to adapt to the season is through nutrition. By eating local seasonal products, for example. In autumn, the temperature goes down and therefore it is wise to switch to the more hot foods and longer preparation times. Reduce eating cold foods like salads, raw foods, or ice cream, and switch to warming dishes like soups and stews. Because autumn is associated with wind and drought, it is advised to eat more hydrating yin foods. If you cook for your pets, you can also let your animals eat more with the seasons. Some examples of foods that are good in the fall:
•Garlic
•Sweet potato
•Ginger
•Onion
•Pears
•Walnuts
•Rice
•Cinnamon
•Leek
•Apples
•Cauliflower
•Grapes
• Black pepper
Just as the trees lose their leaves in autumn, autumn is associated with letting go, reflection and planning. It is therefore a good time for an autumn cleaning or to take a closer look at your habits and goals and adjust them if necessary.
The lungs are of course inseparable from our breathing. A good way to strengthen your lungs is to breathe consciously and deeper. This sounds very simple but most people do not breathe deeply enough and this affects the lungs but also our memory, energy level and resistance. By breathing deeper, more oxygen enters your body and more Qi from the air.
Another way to strengthen your lungs and resistance is by walking regularly in nature.
Autumn is also associated with the wind. In TCM, wind is a major cause of all kinds of illnesses including flu and colds. Wind can especially penetrate our body in our neck area. Wearing a scarf can help prevent this. Your grandmother’s tip to put on a scarf in autumn and winter was not so crazy 😉
Finally, autumn is associated with drought. Making sure you drink enough is therefore important. And preferably no cold water!
Do you have any good tips for a healthy autumn?
