Welcoming Autumn
As the season of Autumn envelopes us in its blustery, cool embrace, we are invited to take time to slow down, go inwards, and let go. Ancient Chinese sages observed a natural decaying and shedding that comes with Autumn, as nature prepares for a period of hibernation.
As humans are merely an extension of our wider environment, we can take our cue from nature and welcome this season of winding down and nestling in. Now is the time to start adjusting our routines and adapting what we consume in order to reap the benefits of the season, and avoid succumbing to illnesses that often arise around this time.
Support the Lungs and the Large Intestine
Every organ in Chinese medicine has a partner - one is Yin, the other is Yang. The two work together to maintain balance in the body. The lungs are responsible for inspiration, for taking in the new. This manifests physically as breathing in the crisp autumn air, filling us with the oxygen we need to think clearly, and our bodies need to function optimally. Emotionally, this represents the inspiration of new ideas and creativity. The lungs are understood to be a very delicate organ, easily invaded by external pathogens. This is often the time of year that coughs, colds and flu’s begin to rear their heads. We can support the lungs by eating correctly and protecting ourselves against the elements (see below). The large intestine is responsible for letting go of waste. Being at the last stage of digestion, it releases everything the body doesn’t need, keeping only what is vital and important for us to function. Often in clinic people with elimination problems have trouble letting go emotionally. This could be of a past event or trauma, or something in our day to day lives that doesn’t serve us.
Let go
Autumn is a good time to take stock of our life, and look at things we might be hanging onto that no longer serve or benefit us, both on a physical and emotional level. The Lungs are associated with the emotion of grief, and are often impacted when we mourn the loss of someone or something important to us. It is important to find a healthy way to accept grief and loss, and accept the circle of life in which decay and death makes way for rebirth and growth. On a day to day level this could involve clearing out your wardrobes and cupboards, unsubscribing to junk emails, adapting your schedule and cancelling activities that make you feel tired or drained. Perhaps it is also time to think about the people you surround yourself with and asking yourself whether those people leave you feeling uplifted and content or exhausted and deflated. All of these activities can be incredibly liberating and are in harmony with the autumn season and strengthening to the lungs function of letting go.
Breathe
One of the best ways to strengthen the lungs is to breathe deeply. Most of us have a habit of shallow breathing that stops in the chest. Optimal breathing reaches right down into the abdomen. When we breathe deeply and with intention, we are flooding our cells and brains with much needed oxygen that is vital to all the body’s processes. We are also taking in vital Qi from the air that the lungs use to perform many functions that keep us healthy.
Try the following simple breathing technique: place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Take a deep breath in and visualise your breath entering your nose, down through your lungs and into your lower abdomen. Feel your abdomen expand with the breath. On the outbreath, visualise the breath travelling back up through the abdomen and chest, and back out of the nose. Repeat this breath for a minute or longer. You should notice the calming effects of this deep, conscious breathing.
Eat warming foods
As the weather begins to cool off in Autumn, it is a good idea to eat less cooling foods, like salads and raw foods at this time of year. Longer cooking times and heartier ingredients are used in autumn to help nourish the body and support the immune system throughout the winter months. To support the digestive system, soups and stews are optimal as their long cooking times are warming and the foods are easier to digest. Start your day with a warm, wet breakfast such as porridge with nuts, seeds and a little cinnamon sprinkled on top. This will kick-start our digestive fire as we transition into our day. The autumn season is associated with dryness, which especially impacts the lungs, therefore it is also important to eat foods that nourish Yin.
Beneficial autumn foods include:
Garlic, sweet potato, squash, pumpkin, ginger, onion, cabbage, pears, walnuts, black pepper, chilli, cinnamon, turmeric, fenugreek seeds, ginger, rice, leeks, miso, almonds, asparagus, broccoli, cucumber, celery, seaweed, kale, spinach, mustard greens, eggs, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, olives, banana, olives, vinegar, cheese and yoghurt (in moderation), lemons, limes, grapefruit, apples, plumbs.
Layer up
Autumn is a season associated with wind. In Chinese medicine it is said that wind is the cause of 100 diseases. There are a few areas of the body that are easily exposed to wind and cold. These include the neck, the lower back (over the kidneys), and the feet. It is important to keep these areas covered with a scarf, or a pair of slippers, and tops that do not expose our midriff. Women are particularly vulnerable to wind when they are menstruating and after birth, so need to pay particular attention to protecting themselves from the elements during this time.