I think we as Americans have lost the beauty of changing seasons. Oh sure, we get all excited for Fall and its pumpkin spiced laden style but we have forgotten how to truly live seasonally. To feel the bliss of the seasonal changes that melt snow, bloom flowers and change leaves. Blame it on technology, improved transportation, hot houses and more but we no longer see seasons change or experience them beyond what the temperature and calendar may tell us.
This disconnection from the seasons has contributed to the growing health problems that we are not healing from easily. Depression, anxiety, obesity, insomnia, over-eating, emotional eating and more all share common threads to this disconnection. Even healthy people are often missing out on the enrichment that seasonal living can provide to their health.
What It Means to Live Seasonally
Living seasonally is not a new concept. Humans are designed to pass through annual and lifetime seasons. Seasons represent change but more intricate to our design as humans it represents flow to our energy and vitality. This specific approach to living helps us recognize there are times when we feel we have more natural energy and that can be used strategically to support health. It also removes the guilt and forcing ourselves through diets, workouts and more that are not where we need to be at the moment.
The farther we live from nature in our daily life, the deeper this disconnection can cause problems in our physical, emotional and spiritual health. This distorts the feelings we experience and reduces the ability to listen to our own needs.
Take for example, a person who lives in a large city. They are surrounded by concrete, noise and very little of their environment is natural. It has been proven to show this adds stress to our body, mind and spirit. We feel harsher, have more anxiety and are less tolerant of ourselves and others. These same people when placed in a park or natural setting for even a short time period see reductions in their blood pressure, stress responses and even report feeling happier. There is power in nature and it is our body’s recharging cable for life itself.
If such a switch can occur simply by being in nature, what can it do when we live aligned to the seasonal changes of nature? Aligning our own heartbeat to that of nature’s seasons as part of our daily routine? How could it not help us feel our best more often and reach new levels of our health that we are in need of improving?
Understanding Your Element
Living in alignment with seasons means we are aware of when our energy is highest and lowest. We intentionally take the actions to refresh and rest and strive for that balance in stress. We nourish our body with seasonally grown foods and spend time in nature listening and learning from Mother Earth.
When you know your primary Chinese element from a facial analysis, you also know your seasonal cycle. This is where you live seasonally and align your energy flow to your primary element, including through diet and lifestyle. Each element aligns to a season and there are specific natural foods that your body, mind and spirit thrive on as a result. This peak season for you may be different than it is for others but understanding it lets you plan, dream, rest, work, and live in accordance to when your natural body aligns in the nature’s seasonal cycle.
As an example, my element is Fire. I feel my most energy in bright hot sunny days, usually during late spring and summer. My lowest energy season is winter when it is cold and dark. Understanding I will not feel as energetic in winter as I do in summer allows me to plan activities that are slower, gentler and easier on my body in winter. It lets me have grace with myself.
Nutritionally, Fire people thrive best on vegetables like celery, red cabbage and tomatoes. They also do well on a diet filled with pears, apples, strawberries, rosemary and chicken. It is advisable for this element to avoid greasy foods, sweets, alcohol, yeast and overly spicy foods. All of this information helps me know that in the winter eating more foods that align with my element will help me feel my best.
Losing touch with nature can mean we deviate from the things that fuel us and support health but it also can mean we spiritually and emotionally also feel disconnected. When you don’t feel well physically or are low on energy, this plays into the other choices you make.
Yet when we align not only our nutrition but all that we do to our seasonal cycle we can tap into the underflow of our own energy and support health year-round. For you that could mean winter is your high energy season and summer is when you need to lay low.
To understand your Traditional Chinese Element I perform a facial analysis and provide this information along with the nutritional alignment for that element to you. Setup a holistic health consult to get yours!
Eating Seasonally is a Great Start
One of the best ways to begin to live seasonally is to eat seasonally. Consuming foods aligned to the natural cycles of each season begins the process of reconnecting us directly to nature. This shift in our nutrition fosters a truly holistic approach to wellness. I believe when you combine this approach with your Chinese element you tap into incredible vitality to support health and reach wellness goals. It changes the game on health all together.
Nutrient Density and Vitality: Seasonal produce is harvested at its peak ripeness, maximizing its nutrient content. Freshly picked fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants essential for our overall health. By choosing seasonal foods, we optimize nutrient intake and support our body’s vitality.
Balance and Variety: Nature provides a diverse array of foods throughout the year, each with its unique nutritional profile. Eating seasonally allows us to enjoy a varied diet, ensuring we receive a broad spectrum of nutrients required for optimal functioning. By embracing seasonal eating, we promote balance within our bodies and enhance overall well-being.
Environmental Synergy: Seasonal eating aligns with sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. When we choose locally grown, seasonal produce, we reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation and support local farmers. By consuming foods that are in sync with the natural environment, we contribute to a healthier planet.
Mindful Connection: Eating seasonally encourages a deeper connection with the natural world. By appreciating the ebb and flow of each season’s offerings, we become more attuned to the cycles of nature. This mindful connection can instill a sense of gratitude, presence, and harmony in our lives, enhancing our overall well-being.
Flavor and Culinary Delight: Seasonal foods are bursting with flavor and culinary potential. When we choose ingredients at the height of their season, we experience a sensory delight in our meals. This encourages us to engage in the creative process of preparing nourishing and delicious dishes, fostering a deeper enjoyment of our food.
Emotional and Spiritual Nourishment: Seasonal eating has the power to nourish not only our physical bodies but also our emotional and spiritual well-being. As we align with the natural rhythms of the earth, we tap into a sense of connection, grounding, and harmony. Eating seasonally can be a form of self-care, allowing us to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the nourishment that food provides.
Bringing It All Together
Embracing seasonal living is a powerful way to improve our health holistically. It can start simply by changing how we eat, to help unwind the mess we have made with out body, mind and spirit. This leads us back to a more natural state where we can hear what we need more clearly and be rejuvenated by nature.
By selecting foods that align with the cycles of nature, we nourish our bodies with nutrient-dense options, support environmental sustainability, and cultivate a mindful connection with the world around us. It helps us reconnect to the part of ourselves we have lost buried under the emotional eating, preservatives and chemicals that are in so much of our foods today. Shifting how we life to be more seasonally aligned gives us peace as well as the opportunity to live as we were designed to live.
Book your consultation for health improvement support at dragonspitapothecary.com
References and Resources:
Mechelli, Andrea. World Economic Forum. (2020 February 4) How City Living Could be Making You Anxious – and How to Deal with It. Retrieved: October 10, 2023, from: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/02/cities-urban-life-mental-health/