Spring has Sprung!
On a recent May visit to Colorado I flew into a blizzard! From a bourgeoning spring in Wisconsin with bursting peonies and all I felt infinitely depressed. It feels like the seasons are pulling in two different directions. I want to get up off the couch and go into the mountains and yet feel like hibernating to avoid the cold.
Our bodies rest in Winter so our energy can emerge healthy and strong in Spring.
But true Spring occurs in the midst of what we consider Winter. I’m looking right now at the tulips in the snow. There’s snow on the ground—so the temperature is cold—yet a flower has already bloomed. Energy has already pushed upward and outward through the hardened Winter soil to create new life. This is the true energy of Springtime—and as in Nature, the same energy happens in your body. Within you, there is an energy moving up and outward, even though the external temperature makes you want to stay inside and rest. .
All the organs have a season and the Liver is the organ related to Spring energy, just as the energy of the growing tulips push through the ground, so too does Liver Qi in your body. If Liver Qi is imbalanced, our bodies will also feel imbalanced as Springtime arrives. Our bodies are always communicating what’s going on deep inside.
The Liver helps our blood and emotions to flow smoothly, so mood swings or anger can come from unbalanced Liver Qi. I sure felt that as our plane was grounded for 3 hours on the runway coming into Denver at midnight in the blizzard, argh! Some other symptoms are temporal headaches, high blood pressure, tendon problems, and eye issues, such as blurry vision, floaters, dry or itchy eyes, or a change in vision. Since the Liver has a close relationship with the Stomach, digestive issues like indigestion, bloating and burping can occur, especially in Springtime.
Things to do to help you and your inner Liver
1. Stay calm! Take a nice long walk in the park or do other gentle exercises to relax your mind, body, and spirit.
2. Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all to preserve your Liver’s energy and give it a break.
3. Stimulate your Liver meridian by hitting your legs up and down the insides of your thighs and calves, starting at the ankles, for about five minutes.
4. Rub the acupressure point called Taichong or Liver 3 every day to stimulate a key point on your Liver channel. It’s on top of your foot between the big and second toe. Press and massage this spot on both feet with your thumb. If it’s sore, you’re hitting all the right spots!