Tips for Staying Healthy Through the Autumn
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we observe nature and seasonal changes to learn proper ways of staying in harmony. When we live in harmony with the season, we are also ensuring harmony within ourselves.
Autumn is a time where the yang/warmth of the sun begins to lessen and give way to the yin/cooler seasons of fall and winter. In autumn one must begin to store our energy in order to make it through the winter in a healthy state. One must slow down from the busyness of summer activities. The movement of autumn in Chinese medicine is downward, and this is evident in the root-based vegetables that are available during that time.
Autumn is considered the season of the Lung organ. Using this Traditional Chinese Medicine approach, here are some tips to staying healthy through the Autumn:
- Eat seasonally. The Autumn is also the time to eat warm, cooked foods. It’s time to reduce the amount of salads, smoothies, iced drinks, and foods cold straight from the refrigerator. Eat a variety of seasonal foods.
- Fermented foods contain beneficial bacteria to keep your immune system strong. Introduce probiotic-rich foods into your diet: including sauerkraut, kim chi, miso, kombucha, rejuvelac, fermented soda, yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods. Although food sources are best, you can also take a probiotic supplement- choose one that contains acidophilus and bifidus.
- Pears and Pear Juice: A Natural Protective and Restorative for the Lungs : Pears are considered very helpful for the Lungs. Pears are naturally moistening and cooling, soothe dryness, and strengthen the Lungs. They are delicious to eat through the Autumn and are very soothing for coughs and sore throats. They are perfect for nourishing and protecting the mucosa of respiratory tissue against the ravages of dryness, heat, and toxins. Eat pears in the autumn and winter for prevention, and if you have been sick, to help restore healthy lung function.
- At the first sign of a cold or flu, rest and get extra sleep. Drink teas, sip soup broths, and eat nutritious whole foods. Decrease processed sugar, and if you have phlegm, avoid dairy products (especially unfermented dairy). Honey soothes sore throats and helps with coughs. Perhaps take a soothing hot bath. Mild exercise is okay; intense exercise will only deplete your immune system further.
- Eat soup – this is the time of season to begin thinking about making more nourishing wholesome, all-encompassing foods like soups. Soups usually contain meats, veggies, and carbohydrates. They are a great meal in one! The temperature is also warming to the yang to prepare oneself for winter.
- Regular acupuncture treatments are helpful to keep the immune system strong. Acupuncture treatments can also be really helpful to alleviate symptoms if you do catch a cold. When working with a trained herbalist, herbs are also helpful to stay healthy, prevent and treat colds and flu.