Most people do a spring cleaning, which is great; but perhaps a fall cleaning is better for you. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) it is the season of dryness. The two organs associated with this season are the lungs and the large intestine. It is during this time that are lungs are more susceptible to respiratory ailments. Just like our large intestine this is the time of year to let go of things that no longer serve us, similar to trees letting go of their leaves.
This fall has been unusually warm which gave me the opportunity to clean out my garage and go through my house and gather things to get rid of. What a wonderful feeling to let go of things that are no longer useful to me, to have those things go to someone who needs them is even better. More than that I love having less clutter, it is quite freeing and energizing to let things go. This is also true of letting go or moving on from relationships that no longer serve you. Whatever you decide to let go of, thank it or them for serving you when you needed it and than move on. Not everything or everyone that comes into our lives is meant to stay.
You are also more inclined to feel grief or sadness during this time. If you do know its okay, acknowledge the feeling, and allow it to move on so your not holding on to it in the body.
This is a good time to boost your immune system by changing our eating habits from cold salads and smoothies to warm cooked stews and soups. They are easier to digest and there watery nature helps nourish the body during this drying season. Eat foods according to the season, like root vegetables. Apples and pears are great to help moisten and nourish the lungs. Pungent foods like, onion, garlic, and ginger all help to build a strong immune stem and disperse mucus.
Some other ways to keep yourself healthy during this time is to avoid drafts, turn off fans at night. When going outside wear a scarf and hat, especially on windy days. Lastly wear a face covering, it gives that extra layer of protection. Covering your nose and mouth will give you that added bit of defence.
Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture are excellent for helping process difficult emotions like sadness and grief. They are also great at helping you build your immune system and deal with pain in the body.
Lori Mitchell is a registered acupuncturist at On The Go Acu in Lindsay ON