Late Summer:The 5th Season
Welcome to the 5th Season, Late Summer
Late Summer starts in mid-August and works its way through the end of September. It’s that period of time when the daylight is starting to shorten but the air remains warm. When we harvest all of the bounty from the summer’s gardens and store them in preparation for winter (or we would if it was 1806).
This season is governed by the Spleen Meridian.* And the topic is as big as the meridian itself. But I’ll give you the highlights today and if you want more information just let me know. Basically the cliff notes version is this - each meridian has a season, emotion & function associated with it. It also has distinct strengths and weaknesses.
When the spleen is out of balance you can experience:
Worry
Anxiety
Digestive upset
Foggy Head
Fatigue
Obviously you don’t want any of that.
Luckily for us, the Spleen is easily strengthened by some basic self care practices. And the easiest time to do them is NOW - during its season. Which means over the next 4 weeks the focus should be on:
Diet - I wrote a whole blog on this but the general idea is to eat less processed or fried foods. Also avoid excessive raw foods and the overconsumption of alcohol
Exercise - This helps strengthen the spleen (because it has a connection to muscles) and move the Qi.
Rest - Ensuring proper rest helps our bodies store the reserves it needs for Winter
Acupuncture - Getting a few Acupuncture sessions during this time period can ease the transition to fall. If that isn’t in the cards for you, try some at home Acupressure
The Spleen meridian is a major cause of disharmony for people, second only to the Gall Bladder/Liver combo. Which is why there is an abundance of worried, stressed out and tired people all around us.
Now, I also understand that this time of year can feel chaotic. Vacation is winding down and the to-do list feels endless. On top of that if you’re already suffering from Spleen deficiency you’re run down, worried and have brain fog.
Which means you need help.
You do not have to try to figure this out alone. Trust me on this, it goes much faster with someone to guide you.
So, if you want clearer thinking, less worry and a happier stomach - reach out to me. I can help.
*Remember, I’m not talking about your spleen organ. More on that here