Moving Into Fall

Many people have a hard time when the weather changes and begin to suffer from allergies, sleep issues, and digestive issues. Here are some tips for moving into the fall season and maintaining the health that you’ve worked so hard to achieve:

♦ GET PLENTY OF REST – I know, it seems like a no brainer, but as we move closer to winter your body will naturally want to sleep more. Although our modern lifestyles may not allow us to sleep 10-12 hours a night during the winter, you can make sure that you still get an adequate amount of sleep. Remember, if you don’t have enough energy, you’re not going to be able to get everything done, regardless of how late you stay up.

♦ DRINK PLENTY OF WATER – Again, a no brainer right? Do a quick calculation of how much water you drink each day, and make sure it’s at least 8-10, 8 ounce glasses a day. For each caffeinated beverage you drink, try and add another glass of water to your day (since caffeine dehydrates you). Hopefully you’ve already been able to cut caffeine out of your daily routine and don’t have to increase your water consumption even more.

♦ HELP YOUR LIVER ADAPT- Around the change of the season, it’s also a great idea to start the day with a warm/hot cup of water with the juice of half a lemon squeezed in it (it’s a gentle way to wake up your liver, which may have difficulty adapting to the change in the season).

♦ FOODS TO EAT – Follow the season and begin eating more leafy greens, squashes, and warming herbs (cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, and cardamom are a great start). Soups are also a nice addition to your diet right now, as they are easy to digest, and add nourishing liquid to your diet. Try and avoid creamy soups, as dairy is harder to digest. And of course, if you’ve stopped eating congee, now is a great time to add it back into your diet!

♦ DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE WEATHER – This time of year is tricky. Sometimes you leave the house and it’s humid and hot, then during the day a rainstorm or cold front blows through. Try and pay attention to the weatherperson before you leave the house, and keep a jacket in the car just in case. Pay special attention to the neck, as this is an area of your body that is vulnerable to the quickly changing weather (this is a common area invasion for external pathogens such as wind, heat, and cold which can make you sick).

♦ TAKE YOUR HERBS AND COME IN FOR ACUPUNCTURE! – Coming in for one or two acupuncture treatments around the change of the season can really help your body transition into the changing weather. And if Cedar Season is always a bother to you, now is the time to begin your herbs, weekly acupuncture sessions, and your congee. Hopefully with these small changes and awareness of what your body needs, you’ll be able to transition into fall without an issue and prepare your mind and body for the quickly approaching holiday season.