Autumn Wellness: Top Tips and Advice to Keep You Healthy Through Seasonal Changes"

As the seasons change and the crisp air of autumn surrounds us, it's essential to adapt your habits to maintain your health and well-being. In this email, I’m excited to share some valuable tips to help you make the most of this beautiful time of year while taking care of your health.

Warm Clothing: Dress in layers to stay comfortable during the changing seasonal temperatures. As your friendly acupuncturist, I may remind you of your (favourite gran/ nana), who always tells you to wear a scarf to protect you from the cold. In Chinese Medicine, it's understood disease can be carried into the body by wind. 

Wind in Chinese medicine is classed as one of the Six evils. It can invade through the skin -mouth - nose, and ears.

Symptoms of Wind Invasion:

• Stiff Neck.
• Shivering/chills.
• Headaches.
• Runny Nose.
• Sneezing.
• Fever.
• Sore Throat.
• Body Aches.
• Earache.

Have you ever noticed when you begin to feel unwell, the first sign is a stiff, achy neck? 

That's because the back of your neck is vulnerable to wind. By leaving your neck and shoulder area exposed you're inviting the wind in. Once the wind invades it will bring its best mates with it, and that is something you do not want. Wind will bring cold or heat, presenting as a common cold or flu.

Interesting fact time:   

Did you know in Chinese medicine, several acupuncture points around the neck and shoulder area are used to clear invading wind? 

These specific acupuncture points are used to help dispel the effects of wind invasion and restore balance to your body's energy. So, the next time you wrap yourself in your favourite, cozy scarf, remember that it's not just a fashion accessory; it's a functional way to support your health according to chinese ancient wisdom. 

Balance Your Diet:

Eat more Seasonal Foods: Chinese medicine encourages eating seasonally where and when you can. In autumn, try to eat foods such as root vegetables, squash, apples, and pears. These foods are thought to nourish the body through the autumnal shift in weather. 

Warm & nourishing Foods: 

As the weather begins to shift and cool down, eat warm cooked foods rather than cold or raw items. Soups, stews, and herbal teas are excellent choices. Include ingredients like ginger, garlic, and cinnamon, all beneficial in helping to boost immunity and promote circulation. 

Why not try this immune-boosting recipe?

Chinese Chicken and Mushroom Soup Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken quartered.
• 1 1/2 litres of water.
• 10 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2-3 slices of ginger
• 2 cloves of garlic. 
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks of celery, sliced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Spring Onions to garnish 

In a large earthenware pot, add the chicken and cover with water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for around 10 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the top. Add the shiitake mushrooms, onion, ginger, and garlic to the pot. 

Continue simmering for another 30 minutes. 

After 30 minutes, add carrots and celery.

Simmer until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender. Remove the chicken pieces from the soup and shred the meat. You can discard the bones or put them to one side to make chicken bone broth. Return the chicken to the pot and season the soup with soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the soup simmer for  5-10 minutes. Serve hot, with a sprinkle of sliced spring onions.

Healing Properties:

1. Boost Immunity: Chicken contains essential nutrients like protein and zinc, which help boost your immune system and keep you healthy during the changing seasons.  A warming protein it helps tonify your Qi. (energy).
2. Warming: The warming properties of ginger and garlic can help combat the cooler weather and keep your body warm during the autumn chill. Ginger is great for giving the digestive system a boost. Ginger and garlic are yang in energy, warming, stimulating, and invigorating.
3. Digestive Health: Shitake mushrooms are known for their digestive benefits as well as boosting the immune system. 
4. Hydration:  The weather becomes drier during autumn, so having a warm soup can help keep you well-hydrated.
5. Vitamin A and C: Carrots and celery in the soup are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which can support your immune system and overall health.

A time to return to the centre:

In Chinese medicine, autumn is associated with completion and preparation. It's a time to finish tasks, get organised, and create a sense of balance in your life. Here are a few tips on how you can bring this concept into your autumnal routine. 

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Complete projects: 

As nature prepares for the quietness of winter, take this opportunity to complete any unfinished projects or tasks. Clearing your physical and mental space of clutter can create a sense of closure and create peace.

Declutter your space:

In Chinese medicine, a cluttered living space can disrupt the flow of Qi. Use autumn as a time to declutter, organise, and create harmony in your home.

Reflect and set intentions:

Reflect on the past year and set intentions for the coming seasons. Consider what you want to achieve. Why not treat yourself to a new journal and begin putting a plan in place for the new year ahead?

Nurture your body:

Pay attention to your physical health. This is an excellent time to engage in practices that nourish you and your body, warming, healing foods, exercise, and rest. 

Embrace your Yin energy:

Embrace and honour your Yin qualities of stillness and peacefulness. Allow yourself time to observe thoughts, ideas, and reflection.