by Evolve Manual Therapy
Have you started to notice the smell of spring in the air? Maybe you have started to feel the urge to start spring cleaning? There is a reason for this cyclical inspiration!
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is transitional season and space; we keep one foot in winter and step one foot into summer. Taking things slowly as we unfurl from the cold, dark winter and move upward and outward toward the expansiveness of summer.
The shift to spring is a subtle change that brings with it new energy and excitement for the warmer weather.
We can think of the body as a small version of the universe around us – a microcosm of the macrocosm. As the seasons change, so should we. Humans should be adaptable; to flow with the seasons is to live in harmony. Just like bare, dormant trees begin to grow buds and blossoms; we too can harness the power of spring to slough off the old and usher in a fresh, new experience of health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.
In Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with the wood element that governs the liver and gall bladder. The liver and gall bladder work together to move blood and bile, and play pivotal roles in spleen and lung health (immune system and seasonal allergies), tendon health and our vision. During these transitional months, disturbances may be manifested in these organ systems, and you may experience symptoms such as:
+ muscle tension
+ sciatica
+ headaches, especially migraines
+ visual disturbance
+ menstrual irregularities, PMS, fibroids
+ digestive disturbance
TIPS FOR THE SPRING SEASON
+ Get moving!
Spring is the time to slowly get moving again after the reduced activity of the cold winter months. Movement is not only good for your physical health, it supports your emotional health by shifting stagnation and old hurts.
+ Spring clean
Take the time to engage in a little spring cleaning, whether this be your home, your e-mail inbox, or your digestive system. Now is the time for “out with the old and in with the new”.
+ Make a to-do list
The energy of spring often brings with it a desire to start bringing the dreams of winter introversion to fruition. Why not make a list and start taking steps toward creating the life your heart desires!
+ Eat your greens
The colour associated with Spring is green and the taste is sour, these are perfect places to focus your eating awareness. Be inspired by the luscious green veggies of the local farmer’s market, when we eat according to the season, we restore inner and outer balance.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY AND SPRING
As we feel the urge to get moving again, we can become aware of some of the stagnations that have built up during winter. One of the core aspects of CranioSacral Therapy is to support your body in restoring movement and flow. This might be supporting the fluid to flow with ease through your central nervous system, nourishing your brain and spinal cord. It may be supporting your immune system, hormones, or digestive system to move more easily and supporting inner health. It may even be supporting you in letting go of hurts and anxieties that are lingering, so that you can move forward and thrive in your life!
At Evolve, we love nothing more than supporting you in finding your natural rhythm (did you know even the nervous system has a rhythm?!), so please reach out and let us know how we can support you move with ease into Spring.
by Evolve Manual Therapy
We live in an age of digital overdose. Our senses are constantly being fired up with noises, lights, sounds and demands. It’s normal to be always ‘on’, to never be out of reach and to sleep next to our mobile phones. But at what cost?
Think back to your last holiday – the one where you really relaxed. Where you lounged in a hammock, book and drink in hand or swam in the ocean with not a care in the world. How good did it feel? No stressing about the next meeting, tomorrow’s deadline or what to cook for dinner – you probably felt calm, peaceful and happy. You likely had time to spend with those you love, playing the board games you never normally get time for, sharing long walks in nature. It’s at times like these that we feel most connected to ourselves and to our families. Does this sound familiar?
Unfortunately for most of us, life isn’t a constant holiday of hammocks and reading by the pool. We have commitments, work, children, ageing parents, friendships to maintain and a whole host of other obligations we try to juggle. All too often, at Evolve Manual Therapy, we see clients put themselves last, at the bottom of the list under the other responsibilities needing to be managed. Our therapists see clients arrive exhausted and overwhelmed at the sheer amount in their daily to do list, resulting in negative physical and mental health symptoms. Aside from seeking help from our expert team, there are ways we can positively impact our own wellness, in our own time and to the beat of our own tune.
Finding time to stay connected to yourself is critical – losing yourself under a sea of responsibilities is a common complaint we hear and sympathise with. We’ve got a few suggestions to get you started on maintaining your own wellbeing.
- Walk in nature – Scientists are beginning to find evidence that being in nature has a profound effect on our brain and on our behaviour. We are physically and mentally more healthy when outdoors – it decreases stress and anxiety, reduces blood pressure and has been shown to improve moods. As an added benefit, walking helps our body to release serotonin, known as the happy hormone.
- Reading a book or completing a jigsaw puzzle – We know that by taking time out, we reduce our ‘fight or flight’ response and allow our nervous system to relax. By focusing on something specific, we’re helping to block out the many other ‘lose ends’ constantly buzzing around in our heads – the appointment you need to book, or the project you need to finish, get pushed to the back of your brain.
- Catch up with friends – We’re a tribal bunch and most of us thrive on connecting with others. Socialising helps create positive neuron connections in our brain and just having a friend listen to a challenge can help to break it down and reduce the anxiety we feel about that activity or thing.
- Have a soak in the bath – Take the time to relax in warm water to release many health benefits including reducing the workload of your adrenal glands and helping to restore balance within your body. Try using minerals and salts to help soothe, reduce toxins and heal.
- Practice meditating. Meditation has long been known to produce wellbeing enhancing benefits both mental and physical and using a guided meditation can help even a beginner to relax, release tension and enjoy a calmer mind.
The way you feel, becomes your essence of living. It’s time to push aside the constant digital demands and make space for our own personal wellbeing and health – when we don’t have time is exactly when we should practice self-love the most.
