Fall is here!
New seasons are an opportunity to realign with our body’s natural rhythms. Fall’s shorter days and cooler temperatures can help encourage the transition.
From an acupuncture perspective, autumn is about refinement. A time to pare down, to let go of excesses we gave ourselves in summer, and focus on what’s necessary for winter. Even here in Florida, we begin to feel the temperatures shift, leaves rustle, and the quality of light changes; all signaling us to prepare for drier, cooler days and nights, and a hunkering down.
In acupuncture theory, humans are viewed as microcosms (or little replica) of the natural world that surrounds us. Weather and climate, particularly during the period of change from one season to another, impact your acupuncture diagnosis and cause for fine-tuning treatment plans.
7 Tips for a Healthy Fall
One of the ways you can take care of yourself between acupuncture visits is through acupressure. Next time you’re at the clinic, ask about our self-care tools: things like foam rollers, zines, and ear acupressure kits.
In addition to those goodies, here are 7 tips for staying healthy this autumn:
- Set your priorities, And include some down time!
- Wear a scarf or hat. Rhinoviruses — the virus responsible for us getting cols — are most happy in cooler weather and when our throats are cooler. They actually set up colonies in our throat and nose faster this time of year. Read more
- Do self acupressure to boost your immune system. Check out this handout for how-to fight seasonal colds!
- Drink enough water. Remember: Caffeinated drinks are not as hydrating.
- Moisten your insides! Use a net pot, saline nasal rinse or even saline nose spray to keep your nose happy throughout cooler weather. Did you know our pinky fingers fit perfectly into our nostrils? You can moisten the inner tip of your nose and nostril at night with olive oil with that pinky before sleep to help keep the fragile lining of our noses moisturized & happy all winter.
- Get support where you can. Autumn is often associated with grief and sadness, even in Florida. Talk to your friends and family about how your feel. Everyone deserves to be heard. You may be surprised how many people have similar responses to summer’s end! So let us know if you need extra support.
- Eat warming foods. In Chinese medicine we work to help our bodies adapt to season and weather changes: foods we eat especially impact how easily our bodies adjust. Less fruit and more soups! Learn more here.
The transition into fall is especially noteworthy because it signifies moving from the more active seasons to times of more stillness. This directly affects how we feel, and how we prevent and treat illness.
Here’s more about your 7 tips for staying healthy this season!
