Spring energy has been on the rise for some weeks and with the first flowers blossoming and birds chirping we can all feel that spring is here.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring is associated with the Wood element. It stands for rising energy, a new beginning, plans, ideas, and growth.
The energetic organ system that corresponds to the wood element is the liver and gallbladder energy. Those two organs are especially active in spring. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of emotions, blood, and Qi (energy). It is also the organ that is most affected by excess stress and emotions.
Healthy wood energy manifests in someone who is creative, has ideas and plans.
Here are some tips on how you can nourish your liver and gallbladder to go energetic and healthy into the spring and summer season.
1. Rethink your habits
In many religions and traditions, spring is a time to fast and detox. Scientists still debate the effect of detoxing, nonetheless changing your habits for at least 30 days in spring can be very beneficial for your liver energy. I am especially thinking of cutting out unhealthy foods/drinks from your diet, like soda, alcohol, sugars, dairy, red meat or processed foods. The sensory organ related to liver energy is the eyes. Cutting down on screen time, which is draining your eyes, could be another good spring detox.
2. Turn to green
The color of the wood element is green. Consuming green food like broccoli, avocado or kale will nourish your liver and gallbladder now. Also walks in nature, seeing green leaves and the growth of new life helps your liver energy to run smoothly.
4. Exercises for the wood element
This is an excellent morning and evening Do-In liver detox exercise series which you can do daily in spring.
Morning Series
Evening Series
4. Stay calm and do something creative
Anger is the emotion associated with the liver. Furthermore, the liver is very sensitive to stress. Experiencing chronic, excessive stress can seriously unbalance the function of your liver. So take things slow in spring, go for walks in nature. Being creative nourishes the liver. Write, or paint or make detailed plans for what you want to do this year.
5. Acupressure
By rubbing the acupressure point Liver 3 you stimulate the entire liver channel. It is a great point for calming emotions related to anger and irritability. If the point is sore, keep on rubbing, you are unblocking liver energy. The point is located on top of your foot where the big toe bone meets the second toe bone. Massage both feet, as this point exists on both feet.
Stay healthy and enjoy the spring.