It’s not just a virus… The TCM reason for Cold and Flu season
Hello from my cozy kitchen table,
Whew! We made it through the holidays everyone. I don’t know about you, but the emotional roller coaster of the holiday season can be a doozy for me.
Who do I give gifts to? What did we get them last year? What time does our flight leave again? What are we eating? We’re eating again?!..
All this internal chatter and overwhelm weakens our bodies, which is why I’ve been mulling this topic over for the last two weeks, while dealing with a very long lasting cold and crossing my fingers I don’t get influenza A…
What’s going on?
Well friends, it’s no surprise that all the stress we put our bodies through can make us more susceptible to sickness. But do you know why?
Let’s breakdown Cold and Flu season from a Chinese Medicine Perspective:
Wind is the main cause of sickness in Chinese medicine. It’s the spearhead of disease really. Wind carries things like Cold, Damp and Heat into the body through open pores, primarily at the back of our necks (but could be anywhere…don’t you dare wear shorts when it’s snowing!).
In the Fall, the season associated with our Lungs, there’s tons of drying and cooling going on. This environment weakens our Lungs which are responsible for our defensive qi or Wei Qi. They also govern our skin, pores, nose and throat. All of which is why sore throats, sinus issues and coughs often begin before winter fully sets in.
When Winter comes, the cold dominates. Cold constricts pores and leads to poor or slower circulation. If a pathogen has gotten into our bodies, the cold can trap it inside. Instead of sweating the pathogen out, like we might in the Spring or Summer, we can end up with deep chills, stiffness in our neck and shoulders, fatigue that seems to never go away, and slower recovery.
But the Holidays play a role in this too! Healthy Wei Qi is dependent on many things: good sleep, regular meals, warm digestion, and emotional regulation. All the things that are easily disrupted during the holiday season. Not to mention our lovely habit of pushing ourselves… Traditionally Fall and Winter are about contraction and storage. They’re the most Yin times of year, meaning we’re supposed to rest, and stay slower, save our energy for Spring. Yet, we stay busy, frequent crowded indoor spaces and push through even when we’re exhausted.
When your actions go against the season, the pathogens win.
What do we do about it?
Support your Wei Qi! If your Wei Qi is strong, pathogens bounce off you.
Some ways to do that are:
Keep your neck, upper back and chest covered
Avoid drafts on sweaty skin
Eat more soups, stews and warm breakfasts
Cook your vegetables
Use warming spices in small amounts like ginger, cinnamon and cardamom
Avoid constant snacking
Avoid cold food and drinks
Rest is very important. If you don’t sleep enough, your Wei Qi never fully restores and you’re walking around exposed the next day. You need a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep and to go to bed before 11pm. No amount of advice, herbs, or supplments will be better when it comes to recovering this time of year. Slow down, store your energy, lean into the desire to be cozy!
When you get sick do this…
If you do end up sick, it isn’t the end of the world. It’s just a message from your body to reorient and relax. It is however important to treat sickness as soon as possible! The earlier you take action, the swifter the experience.
Early signs of sickness to watch out for:
Slight chill
Neck stiffness
Fatigue
Scratchy throat
Mood changes
If you experience any of these it’s best to cancel your plans and take a hot shower. I said it. You can blame any flakiness on me this season, I’ll allow it.
Drink some bone broth, make a chicken soup, drink some warm tea. Do whatever you have to, to warm yourself and rest. For your sake and the rest of us! No one wants to be sick.
Which reminds me; if you are sick please let me know! Being sick doesn’t mean you have to cancel your appointment with me, I am happy to support your healing with acupuncture. In fact, there are numerous ways acupuncture can help shorten a cold or flu. I always appreciate the wearing of a mask in this case, for myself and for you. If you’re not sure what to do, just shoot me a text and we can figure it out together.
Happy Healing!
