30 Sep Seasonal Self-Care: Autumn Part 1

It feels like Fall. Each year, the cool air that welcomes my morning walk, the smell of backyard fires, and the leaves settling on the garden are each hints that the season is changing. The expansive energy and warmth of summer, the most yang season, brings forth growth and light and action. As we move into Autumn and start our journey back to yin, it’s a time to gather, to settle, and to nourish.

Each change of season is not just an external phenomenon. We also see change in our bodies, thoughts and emotions, and health. In 5 Element medicine, our ability to transition is a function of our earth energy. The transition of each season is a time we call Doyo, the “season in between the seasons.” The earth element oversees our digestion, our ability to digest and derive nutrition from the food, fluids and experiences we take in.

The Earth element oversees our ability to transition. It transforms food and fluid into Qi, and thoughts and experiences into purpose.

Remember, through the Asian medicine lens, all life, including our body and mind, are a manifestation of Qi (life). We replenish our Qi continuously, when nutrition and breath join together to nourish us.

We can support our immunity and well-being during the change of season, by caring for our digestion. This allows us to transition with more ease and arrive in Autumn with both vitality and flexibility, ready to adapt to the changes it brings, both internally and externally.

Self-inquiry: We often think of the cooler temperatures, the change in sunlight, and the foliage, but have you noticed different emotions and memories coming up? Or, maybe you are craving different foods, or noticing a change in sleep, energy level, or focus. Are there certain symptoms that you notice at each change of season, or each year in Autumn?

An imbalance in our Earth element is often characterized by loose stools or constipation, a heavy feeling in the body, foggy thinking, symptoms accompanied by phlegm or mucus, lack of clarity, and worry.

When our Earth element is strong (digestion), we arrive in Autumn (lung, colon) ready to take in the new (inhale) and let go of what no longer serves us (exhale).

As we meet October, we are nearing the end of Doyo, the change of season, and are settling into Autumn, the season of metal.

Metal is said to “disperse and descend.” This means it is responsible for dispersing our Qi and fluids appropriately throughout the body, and letting go of waste. In balance, metal is said to sprinkle our system with fluids, making sure we are not too dry or too wet. Metal’s nature is to descend, so when it is blocked or imbalanced, we see symptoms in the upper body or on the skin, characterized by dryness or phlegm. If metal cannot disperse and let go of our waste effectively, we may see digestive and intestinal problems such as constipation, diarrhea, or pain. Remember, in Asian medicine we do not separate the mind and the body, therefore we may also see signs of mild depression, grief or sadness, or desire to micro-manage and control.

As our outermost energy, metal forms our first layer of protection against the external environment, called Wei. If our Wei is strong, we are less likely to be affected by seasonal ills, and if we do contract an illness, we are better prepared to fight it off quickly and efficiently.

Self-Care to Strengthen the Metal Element: Support for allergies/upper respiratory heath

Basic Technique: Gently use your pointer and middle finger to rub these areas each morning and evening. Keep your fingers in one place while making a small circular motion. Repeat this throughout the area. Once you get comfortable with the practice, it will take you five minutes or less to complete. You can also use a small therapy ball instead of your fingers.

Above image – Elbow Crease: Use your first two fingers to feel along the outer half of the elbow crease. Gently rub any tender or gummy areas.

Above image: Use your first two fingers to gently rub the area around your navel. Don’t rub along the surface of the skin. Try holding your fingers in place, while making a small circular motion. Start with the outer rim of the navel. Then, work your way out, covering an area about 3” around the navel in each direction. If you notice any cold spots, use a warm, damp washcloth or heating pad to apply heat to the area.

Above image: Use your thumb to gently rub the palm of the opposite hand. Rub the entire palm with slow strokes moving across the skin. Pay special attention to any tender or hard areas in the pad that extends down from the thumb. If you find the right spot, this can also improve blurry or double vision.

Above image: Use your first two fingers to rub the above areas in small circles. Pay special attention to areas that are sore, feel hot or cold, or feel gummy. Try finishing by rubbing behind each ear lobe, in the most tender or gummy spot.

Above image:

Ankle bone: Look for a spot just below and in front of the outer ankle bone. It might feel gummy and/or tender.

Inner leg: Use your first two fingers to move up the inner leg starting at the medial (inner) ankle bone. As you do this, stop at any areas that feel tender, hollow, or gummy. Finish by sliding your fingers up until they naturally stop. Rub the most tender spot in this area.

Finish: Always finish by resting your hand on your heart and taking a few deep breaths to allow yourself to process the work and settle.