Are the seasons important?
These days, most of us spend our lives rushing around at full pace, with very little “recovery time”, no matter what season it is. We then wonder why our get-up-and-go has got-up-and-gone, as we struggle with energy levels, illness and stress.
Perhaps the answer is more simple than we think.
The ancient Chinese observed nature, with its fluctuations throughout the year. They realised that, for a tree to be able to blossom, flourish and grow, it had to have a period where it lost the leaves of the previous year (Autumn) and had a rest period (Winter) before it could grow and flower (Spring), mature (Summer) and fruit (Late Summer). As such, nature achieved harmony, seemingly effortlessly producing healthy growth year after year. Clever, eh?!
They believed that the movement of nature through the five elements (or seasons) also occurred within us. In order to have health, we need the balance of the five elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth). Energy needs to move through the elements – daily, monthly, yearly. We should give our bodies and minds space to rest and recover before the next period of growth and flowering.
How can this help my health?
By watching what is going on outside in nature, recognising and working with this natural movement of energy we can learn a lot about how to respect our bodies, and conserve our energy and health. In Winter, we are supposed to hibernate: curl up under the duvet or in front of a roaring fire and get more sleep, so that we have the reserves we need for the activity of Spring and Summer. I use a lot of seasonal points in acupuncture treatments at certain times of year, particularly as we enter a new season: it helps people stay healthy. Acupuncture can also help you move into the current season if you feel a little “left behind”.
Currently, we’re in Spring. Early Spring, but definitely time to start to come out of the hibernation of Winter. So, stretch, start to move and enjoy the lighter mornings and evenings. In a couple of weeks time nature will really get going and you’ll be there to meet it!