22 Nov Cultivate Health for Autumn and Winter

As we creep closer to the end of the year, there’s a juxtaposition between slowing down and speeding up. Moving through the Autumn season into Winter, nature calls us to start winding down and tying up loose ends before cocooning during the darkest months of the year. Meanwhile, our Western culture leans towards the opposite approach—push harder, commit more, and keep burning the candle at both ends until we collapse into our next break. If we fulfill more of the latter’s demands, this flow of moving harmoniously between these seasons may feel more difficult. 

Autumn is associated with the health of our lungs, and winter is associated with our kidneys. In Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM), the lungs are known as the “delicate organ”—they tend toward dryness and can be susceptible to external invasions (think cold and flu season). Biomedically, the Lungs are the last thing developed in the womb and the last thing to go before you die. In TAM, the kidneys hold our essence (aka our vitality), which comes from our ancestors and is in part preserved by our lifestyles. 

If you find yourself living with more respiratory issues this season, you are not alone. The state of your lungs and health this season often reflects how well you were cared for in the previous few seasons. 

As that last bit of yang energy moves into the greater yin season (winter), it makes sense that our most delicate organ is most susceptible to illness at this time.  

All of the seasons have what’s called an “invading evil” element. The “evil” associated with Autumn is dryness, and Winter’s is cold. You might experience more dryness in your sinuses, a scratchy throat, dry skin, a lingering cough, chills, stiffness, and/or headaches. 

Fortunately, there are many ways you can support your body during this time. 

• In autumn: Early to bed, early to rise. In the winter: sleep longer! Go to bed early, sleep in late. 
• Include gentle, yin-building exercises in your routine (yin-yoga, tai chi, walking, breathwork, and plenty of rest).
• Incorporate more yin-nourishing, warming, and aromatic/acrid foods that support lung and kidney health: cooked pears, honey, onion, daikon radish, ginger, squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, black sesame, seaweed, and water-based meals such as soups, stews, steaming, and congees. 
• Head seasonal illness off! Ask for an herbal prescription based on your constitution and any acute concerns at your next acupuncture appointment. 

Wishing you all a healthy holiday season,

Jamie