The classic TCM textbook, The Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor, has a famous saying: "Instead of exerting great effort to cure disease, a wise man will take precautions when he is healthy." Preventative medicine is important. Because diseases and symptoms are the result of imbalances between our bodies and outside forces in our environment, harmonizing ourselves with the seasons helps to restore balance and health.
TCM developed, in large part, by observing nature and comparing it with our own healthy and unhealthy patterns. Just as springtime is a time for leaves, blooms, and animals to emerge, so it is also time for us to shed winter from our bodies.
- Adjust your diet.
It is generally ideal to emphasize foods that are locally available. Not only are they fresher; they are also more suitable to our bodies' needs for each season.
As the weather gets warmer, we can begin to add lighter and cooler foods to our diet. This means, fewer soups, stews, and heavy foods, and more lightly steamed or even raw vegetables. There are more leafy vegetables and fewer root vegetables at this time of year. Of course you should also follow your own constitution, so if you continue to feel cold, it might be best to continue with more warming foods.
- Exercise
Time to stretch. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Get help for your allergies because you don't need to suffer through the season.
- Let Emotional Clutter Go
"Clear the clutter" is a popular catch phrase, but it should not refer only to your house (although that can do wonders as well!), but also to emotional baggage. Talk to a counsellor or other friendly ears. Take time for yourself to work out issues that are weighing you down.
- Wear Appropriate Clothing
The mother of a patient of mine says every spring, "Cast not a clout 'til May is out". It means don't bare too much skin until June arrives. Even though she did not know TCM principles, she was right. Protect yourself from the elements by keeping a clothing barrier between yourself and the elements. Even though the sun is out more often, and it seems warmer, leaving your jacket at home or wearing shorts too early can cause your muscles to cramp and your joints to ache. For women, wear a fashionable scarf to cover your neck. If you choose to wear a skirt, wear stockings. Men, don't pull your shorts out of storage just yet; leave everyone in anticipation until summer.
Following the patterns of nature, you will feel as renewed as a new leaf in spring reaching for the sun!
