Navigating Seasonal Transition in Climate Change

In this lunar calendar year of the Fire Horse, the transition to autumn came in fast and furious, with sudden cold snaps and wet windy weather. While I generally prefer a more gradual unwinding, the weather extremes on our planet might continue ushering in the seasons with extreme seismic shifts.

Though it’s been exceptionally damp so far this fall, autumn is the season associated with dryness, in both Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. The leaves lose their moisture and the edges curl towards center. So too do we pull our energy inwards as winter approaches and the cycle of the seasons winds down. 

Foods that moisten and protect the mucosa of the lungs in Chinese Medicine theory include pears/apples (especially stewed or cooked), honey, mushrooms, seaweed, sesame seeds, and bone broth. 

Pungent and warming foods will increase circulation and help the lungs regulate the mechanism of sweating, through which pathogens can be released. Pungent and warming foods include ginger, garlic, onion, cinnamon, and chili peppers. 

Incorporating a few of these foods into your autumn meals will boost your immunity overall.  

If your skin is feeling dry, try a trick from Ayurveda–applying sesame oil or ghee before you shower. Let the oil sit on your skin for 15-20 minutes. If you have time you can warm the oil first either by rubbing it in your hands or by placing the oil container in warm water for a few minutes before you apply it. After massaging the oil into your skin in soothing circular motions, place a hand towel in your shower so you don’t slip and then shower as usual. Applying the oil before showering will protect the lipid barrier on your skin and the warmth from the shower will allow the oil to penetrate more deeply. Avoid a very hot shower as this will dry your skin further. 

Both Ayurveda and Chinse Medicine advise that you sip on warm water or herbal tea throughout the day to moisten as the weather dries. And if you find that your mouth gets dry, Ayurveda encourages you to moisten your mouth by running your tongue over your teeth in a circle a couple of times when you notice dryness or roughness there.

The opportunity of autumn is to nourish and protect, to preserve and maintain whatever you most want to hold onto over the winter. To focus on what you want to protect and preserve, and to not worry so much about everything else. 

As the weather changes, start wearing a scarf to protect from pathogens entering through the nape of the neck or the nose or mouth. I also love wearing a (merino wool) neck gaiter if I don’t feel like fussing with a scarf, and I often make sure I’m wearing a long tank top that I can tuck in to keep my low back/kidneys warm.

As this season begins to blossom, I’ll invite you to take a few moments of quiet reflection to ponder how you want to use your energy this autumn and to identify what matters to you most. 

If you’re looking for a space to support your immunity and to reconnect with yourself, consider coming in for acupuncture. If you haven’t been in for awhile, no worries. Seasonal transition (or life transition) is a great time to schedule a tune-up. 

If you prefer to plug back into yourself in the comfort and privacy of your own home, my next at-home restorative yoga workshop will be Thursday November 5th at 7pm on Zoom. Details here. 

No yoga experience is needed to attend. You can practice on the floor or even on your bed.