seasonal changes Archives - Mend Acupuncture

The Kidneys: The Root of Life
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The Kidneys: The Root of Life

Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness

The Kidneys: The Root of Life

By aubreylewis|2023-01-25T15:43:53-05:00February 1st, 2021|Categories: Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Take Home TCM, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, essence, jing, kidneys, seasonal changes, TCM, The Kidneys, winter, zhi|

Winter is the season for rest and restoration, as well as a time of expending as little energy as possible. With this focus on energy levels and vitality, it’s no wonder that the organs associated with Winter are the kidneys and bladder. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are particularly important. They act like a rechargeable battery for Qi, or energy, in the body. This vital energy is held in reserve so that it may be used in times of stress and illness. While a balance of activity is necessary all year round, Winter is the powering down [...]

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3 Easy Winter Tips
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3 Easy Winter Tips

Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

3 Easy Winter Tips

By aubreylewis|2022-11-15T14:06:19-05:00January 11th, 2021|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, foot soak, nature, seasonal changes, soup, TCM, winter|

The theme for Winter is STAY WARM and here’s why: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we know that cold and dampness (hello, Maryland!) can enter the body suddenly or seep in slowly over a long period of time through the wei qi (protective qi) layer, specifically via the skin and lungs. It can also enter after eating cold, raw foods or adding ice to drinks. The kidneys (the organ of winter) are the source of warmth (Ming Men fire) in the body, kind of like a furnace. This “fire” diminishes as we age and can be damaged by improper diet, [...]

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Leaning into Winter (For Once)
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Leaning into Winter (For Once)

coronavirus, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Leaning into Winter (For Once)

By Jaime Kauffman|2022-11-15T14:06:20-05:00December 29th, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, coronavirus, covid-19, death, fear, nature, seasonal changes, TCM, winter, zhi|

Winter is commonly known as a time to slow down, rest, and restore. At a young age we learn about animals that hibernate during this season. And each year we watch the flora and fauna diminish to just their bare essentials. These are our cues, to tuck in and rest, as we too are part of the natural order of things. Often, this time of year can be challenging. There’s an inner knowing of slowing down contrasted by the frenzy that occurs during these darker days. Starting with Thanksgiving, we have a slew of holidays and subsequent gatherings that [...]

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Winter Walks, What?
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Winter Walks, What?

coronavirus, Immunity, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Winter Walks, What?

By Jaime Kauffman|2024-01-08T13:56:20-05:00December 15th, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Immunity, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: acupuncturists, Baltimore, Chinese medicine, coronavirus, covid, covid-19, fall, nature, seasonal changes, TCM, trails, walking, winter|

Many Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners consider Fall to be the premiere season for taking walks outside. Afterall, Fall is the season of the Lungs and Large Intestines, and the act of releasing and letting go seems to go hand-in-hand with walking. However, outdoor walks are monumentally beneficial every season, every day. Walking outside is a great way to circulate qi, strengthen the lungs, aid digestion, promote circulation, and clear the mind. In fact, during times of “brooding,” stress or anxiety, it’s been shown that taking a tree-lined walk changes blood flow in the brain to improve and enhance mood. However, [...]

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7 Steps for a Healthier Fall
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7 Steps for a Healthier Fall

coronavirus, Immunity, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

7 Steps for a Healthier Fall

By JaimeRoslyn|2022-11-15T14:06:39-05:00October 6th, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Immunity, Organ, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, coronavirus, covid, covid-19, fall, seasonal changes, TCM|

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the human body is viewed as a microcosm of the natural world around us. We are inextricably linked, thus adjusting the way we live to the changing seasons is a must for maintaining good health and preventing illness. Since many experts believe that we're about to head into a particularly challenging immune-vulnerable Fall/Winter, it’s important that make some small shifts to stay optimally healthy. Any opportunity to boost overall wellness is great, boosting your immunity is even better. Here are six easy-to-do tips to prevent illness and live in harmony with the Fall season. [...]

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How to Fall in Line with Fall (when nothing else is falling in line)
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How to Fall in Line with Fall (when nothing else is falling in line)

coronavirus, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

How to Fall in Line with Fall (when nothing else is falling in line)

By JaimeRoslyn|2022-11-15T14:06:39-05:00September 30th, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: breathwork, Chinese medicine, coronavirus, covid, covid-19, fall, seasonal changes, TCM|

One week into Fall and the cues are all around us. Color-tinged leaves, rustling in the wind. Light dimming a bit more each day. That seasonal softening, reminding us to switch gears and get cozy. Yet in the clinic, we’re noticing a collective resistance to the usual slowing down. What’s happening? Need more pumpkin spice? One possibility is that, with the impact of the pandemic, we are individually experiencing a major life shift which keeps us on high alert. For many of us, it feels counterintuitive to lower our defenses and rest. Our local, national and international communities are [...]

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Slowww Down
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Slowww Down

Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Slowww Down

By Dana Iscoe|2022-11-15T14:06:39-05:00September 21st, 2020|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: caffeine, Chinese medicine, cortisol, fall, qi gong, radical listening, seasonal changes, TCM|

Late September, early October...the start of the Autumn season is often marketed as the time to start buying more sweaters, drinking pumpkin spice lattes, and planning your Halloween party. In 2020, the circumstances are so different. There's more space for the resonances of this time of the year to shine through and bring value to our lives. As the daylight shifts, it's important to begin to gently tap the breaks on our unquestioned routines to prepare for the stillness of winter. Here's some suggestions for slowing down to welcome Fall. Slow your roll. As the balance between day and [...]

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The Dog Days of Mothering: Parenting Burnout
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The Dog Days of Mothering: Parenting Burnout

coronavirus, Parenting, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

The Dog Days of Mothering: Parenting Burnout

By mca_sarah|2022-11-15T14:06:40-05:00September 1st, 2020|Categories: coronavirus, Parenting, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, coronavirus, covid, damp, five element, Late Summer, parenting, seasonal changes, TCM|

It’s been 5 months since our kids came home from school and haven’t left. At the time, we thought it would be 2 weeks until routines returned to normal. Or maybe until the summer. Now many of us are collectively confronting that there’s no date for going back to the usual places our children go to. It feels like the longest snow day on record – at first a welcome break, an introspective pause, then the trappings of the “weather outside” taking on new gravity. A familiar feeling has surfaced, one that I recall from infant days and toddler [...]

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Clear Damp, Eat Noodles
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Clear Damp, Eat Noodles

Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Clear Damp, Eat Noodles

By Dana Robinson|2023-08-29T17:36:57-04:00August 26th, 2020|Categories: Nutrition, Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, damp, food medicine, Late Summer, noodles, seasonal changes, TCM|

Late Summer has a tendency to make the body feel heavy and tired, and the mind sluggish. This can come along with digestive upset and slowdown. It's a conundrum of what to eat during this time of year. While summer is the best time to rely on locally grown produce, all those peaches, melons, tomatoes, and peppers can be hard to digest, even though they are loaded with micronutrients. If you're finding that you're losing your appetite, feeling uncomfortable after eating, or that your mind and body just feel foggy and clouded, you might be experiencing what Chinese Medicine [...]

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Questions of Late Summer
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Questions of Late Summer

Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness

Questions of Late Summer

By JaimeRoslyn|2023-09-03T18:03:08-04:00August 15th, 2020|Categories: Seasonal Changes, Self-Care, Wellness|Tags: Chinese medicine, damp, Late Summer, questions, seasonal changes, TCM|

Earth is the glue that holds everything together. Before diving into the Questions of Summer, it's helpful to take a moment to get to know the element of Late Summer: Earth. Through the Earth Element, we are able to be satisfied – to feel as if we have enough, to no longer be hungry. Earth gives us the ability to stand firm and remain grounded in an ever-changing world. We all have needs. How we go about satisfying our needs and the needs of others depends largely on our Earth Element. Are we able to acknowledge our needs? Are we [...]

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