Prepare for the Change of Season

The change of seasons is an important time in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This is a time to consciously shift gears and to prepare your body, mind, and soul for the next season.

Summer is a ‘yang’ season, which is associated with energy, growth and creativity. In contrast. autumn is a ‘yin’ season where our vital energy contracts and moves inward. As we move into autumn and the weather changes, instinctually our desires and preferences change. We are drawn to warming, hearty foods such as soups, stews and roasted vegetables, rather than salads and other cooling foods that we tend to enjoy in the summer. Autumn is a time of harvest, and we begin to gather our crops, can our vegetables and pull energy inwards. The change of season is natures way of preparing us for the stillness of winter.

Diet, lifestyle, pace and energy should all be considered at this time of year. By understanding the next season we can make the transition easier and provide the support that our body needs to stay in sync with the seasons.

Qualities of Autumn

Yin

Contractive – Energy moves in. We may feel more reflective and introverted.

Element – Metal

Organs – Lungs and Colon

Emotion – Grief

Foods to assist in moving from summer to autumn

Warming and hearty foods. Enjoy soups, stews, and roasts with root vegetables and include pungent flavors like ginger, radish and horseradish.
Sour foods help to stimulate the process of contraction and improve mental focus. Try sour foods such as sauerkraut, lemons, vinegar, olives, sour apples and plums.
Change of Season Soup is a TCM favorite for assisting the body with the transition between summer and autumn.

Activities to assist in moving from summer to autumn

Spend time outdoors observing the season change, the geese migrating, the leaves changing colors and the change in temperature.
Energy and patterns can have a tendency to be scattered in the summer. Autumn is a natural time to organize and regroup.

Follow these suggestions to support your energy and vitality through the fall and cooler months ahead!

By Dr. Angelina Riopel ND|2019-04-08T19:52:10-04:00October 8th, 2013|Nutrition|Comments Off

About the Author: Dr. Angelina Riopel ND

Dr. Angelina Riopel is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario. Angelina began her studies in Melbourne, Australia at the Melbourne College of Natural Medicine obtaining a degree in health sciences, specializing in naturopathy. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND). Angelina has practiced in both Edmonton and Toronto and has treated everything from simple digestive issues to complex terminal illnesses. She has trained extensively in the use of IV Therapy for acute and chronic disease, and has a special interest in women’s health, hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue and digestive health. By working through her own undiagnosed health concerns at a young age, Angelina learned the importance of listening to the body. She believes that the body is constantly communicating through symptoms, letting us know when we are in and out of balance. She is passionate about working with individuals to achieve internal balance and optimal health through mastering the basics of healthy living.

Prepare for the Change of Season