Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
— George Eliot
Autumn is my favourite time of year. I am no fan of the long, hot summer so the cool crispness of an autumn breeze and the chilly, clear star-filled nights make my heart feel light and happy. Watching the leaves turn and fall to the ground…seeing people start to pull out their boots and scarves…all mean autumn to me. In Traditional Medicine, autumn is associated with the lungs. Lungs have a theme and that theme is to let go. Release the things that are holding you back and stoping you from living your best life. Autumn is the time to finish all those half-started projects from the spring and summer – to make room for new experiences.
Autumn is also a great time to take care of your lungs. If you suffer from lung conditions like asthma, come in for acupuncture and/or herbs to help fortify your lungs for the colder weather to come.
There are several things you can do to protect your lungs during the cooler months. You can wear a scarf or other facial covering to help warm the air before you breathe it in. In Traditional Medicine, the lungs are the organ most impacted by sadness. Make sure you are dealing with any feelings of sadness, depression and grief – that way you can move beyond the negativity and find the positive outcome. Make sure you find your balance between warm and cold, damp and dry – that way you can choose your diet appropriately and help ensure your lungs stay healthy.
Our lungs are so important and taking care of them should be a priority. Make sure you do some deep breathing every day. This is so easy to do but many of us forget that breathing correctly can help regulate our sleep, reinforce our immune system and increase our energy levels. Stay positive. It sounds simple but by letting go of the negative we help our breathing which in turn keeps our lungs healthy and functioning at their peak. Instead of spring cleaning…how about doing it in the autumn? Remember, that autumn is a time to let go so cleaning up and giving unused items to charity is both cleansing and kind. Why hold onto to things you don’t use anymore when someone in need could benefit from your generosity?
Remember to eat warm things in autumn such as broths, soups and stews. Enjoy lots of fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits. And never forget autumn’s favourite herbs like bay leaves, fennel, dill, leek, rosemary, thyme and turmeric.
Autumn is a time of reflection and inner peace. Turn your thoughts inwards and towards self-care instead of worrying about what other people expect of you. Your lungs will be so grateful and good health will be your reward.