Healthy Tips for Spring

You know it's coming! It's just around the corner. We've had a couple of teasers here and there, where we put away the long johns. One thing is for sure; the weather will start getting warmer, the bulbs will start popping up, birds will begin chirping, the days will get longer, and the energy for most New Yorkers will certainly change. When the words "polar vortex" are the catch phrase for a season, you know it has been a tough winter for many. OK, people, onward and upward, which is the energy of the spring season that we are moving into.  

Every season has its own specific energy that we can tap into for a more balanced and healthy physical, mental, and emotional body. Here are some healthy tips to help you get the most out of the spring energy.

In the Chinese medicine system, the wood element representing the liver and its corresponding organ the gallbladder are the most active meridians and energies in spring. The liver rules the tendons and ligaments, so it is important to increase your stretching frequency. It is no wonder that people come into  my office with more injuries during the spring. After a long hiatus from activity, many decide to get back into outdoor activities without easing their way into it.

The best way to stretch ligaments and tendons are to hold certain stretches for 3 minutes. Most of the stretches you do while on the floor either sitting or lying down can be held for three to five minutes. Some examples of stretches that can be held for three minutes or longer are the lying down spinal twist, pigeon pose, wide leg straddle seated forward bend, and seated forward bend. Yin yoga postures are a great sequence to balance the body.

Certain organs have a corresponding healing sound. Specific healing sounds have been used for thousands of years to help facilitate healing of the body. Since spring correlates to the liver, chanting the healing sound of the liver is very beneficial. The sound for the liver is "SSSHHHHHHHHH" (just as you would tell someone to be quiet but in a gentle flowing rhythm). Take a deep breath in and chant "SSSSHHHH" until your breath is completely released and you can't chant anymore of the sound. 

Chant the sound by standing up and on each hand touch the ring finger to the thumb with the arms down by the side (the ring finger is part of the liver meridian). Chant the sound "SSSSHHHH," while raising the arms (palms up) with your ring fingers and thumbs touching, to the level of your shoulders/ ears. Repeat this three times (take a 10-second rest between each repetition) and do it every day throughout the spring.

The eyes are prominently connected to the liver, so doing eye exercises also helps the eyes and liver. Look straight ahead and keep your head in the same position (I like doing this sitting down on my meditation cushion). Center your eyes then bring them both up to the 12 o'clock position. Every second follow the eyes to its next position, 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock and so on.  Do this three times clockwise, then reverse the movement going counterclockwise three times (ending at the 12 o'clock position). Breathe in going from the 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock position and breathe out going from the 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock position. Reverse the breathing when you reverse the direction. This helps the eyes see more clearly and energetically allows so you can focus on a clearer vision and clearer intention for your life.

There are many foods that are great to eat more of during the springtime: (barring food sensitivities to any of these) beet root and greens, dandelion greens, artichokes, collard greens, avocado, turmeric, lemon, asparagus, cucumber, and walnuts. These foods help support the liver by soothing the liver energy.

Spring is about growth, intention, and new beginnings. Make an intention for growth for your physical, mental, and emotional bodies. If you are not feeling well, then do something about it. Stop making excuses and tap into the seasonal energy of change. Get a chiropractic treatment therapy to help move any stuck energy in the body. Reiki, acupuncture, and massage are great modalities as well. Moving energy in the body not only helps the physical body, but it helps the mind and emotional body, through the endorphins that are released.

Get outside and be in nature. The problem with winter for many city dwellers is that we are inside way too much. The heated indoor radiator and forced-air dries us out, and the increased exposure to electromagnetic fields (computers, TVs, etc.) slows down our metabolism and makes us feel sluggish. Make an effort to touch your feet on some grass (a city park will do) or get out of the city and get a good dose of nature. Being a witness to the trees budding out, the first bulbs coming up and the earth waking up, allows for our own energetic bodies to tap into this springtime energy.

As always, I am here for you, your family, and friends and I look forward to helping you get back on track and achieve more of your wellness goals this season. Here's to spring and new beginnings!

Dr. Louis Granirer
NYC Chiropractor
Holistic Chiropractic Center