Spring is upon us! The season officially begins on the spring equinox—Saturday, March 20th. Spring is a time to clean our houses, bodies, and minds. It is time to uncover what has been kept under the ground during the winter months, so that it may be released.

Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal. The trees are blooming and so are we, because we are a reflection of nature. Spring is also a time for planning, projects, and creation. It is time to bring our ideas into fruition. Let’s take advantage of spring’s momentum and put this newfound energy into motion.

In Chinese medicine, spring is associated with the liver and the gallbladder. Spring is also associated with the wood element, the color green, the emotion of anger, and the sour flavor.

Symptoms of Imbalance: muscle tension, headaches, irritability, vision problems, menstrual irregularities, PMS, IBS, bloating, high blood pressure, overly controlling, spring allergies, feeling aggravated by the wind, skin problems like rashes and acne, restlessness, anxiety, waking between 1-3am, difficulty relaxing/always busy, and fatigue that improves with exercise.

Tools to Balance: exercise to move stuck energy, put your plans into action, practice meditation and yoga to cleanse the body and mind, get to sleep by 11pm, eat sour foods and leafy greens, eat when you are relaxed, eat slowly, drink lemon water, let go of perfection, address repressed anger, and see your acupuncturist for a seasonal tune-up.

Foods to Balance: alfalfa sprouts, artichokes, asparagus, basil, broccoli, celery, cilantro, collard greens, cucumber, fennel, garlic, fermented foods, ginger, kale, lettuces, radishes, seaweed, onions, small amounts of vinegar, sprouts, watercress, beets, bitter greens, baby vegetables, lemons, limes, rye, brown rice, plums, cherries, beans, blue-green algae, and avocado.

I hope these tips help you to feel your best this season and allow you to embrace this expansive time of year. To book a seasonal tune-up with me, click here.