Seasonal Adjustments to your Lifestyle

Recently, there was a news story about the fluctuation of cholesterol levels in certain patients from the spring/summer season to fall/winter. In my classes on Chinese medicine, I discuss how the changing seasons affect our bodies meridian systems and their associated organs systems. I also share how our lifestyles require adjustment with the changing seasons.

For example, the summer season’s primary characteristic is one of heat. Heat is one of the five climatic factors within Chinese medicine. As a result, our bodies are more susceptible to becoming over-heated during this season. One of the ways I suggest patient’s combat this is to eat a diet of primarily cool natured foods during this season.

Diet is one aspect of lifestyle management that patients have total control over. Some foods are quite warm or even hot, in their underlying nature. These foods should be avoided or reduced during the summer months. Each one of the seasons has a particular environment that defines the characteristic of the foods that are both beneficial and detrimental to a persons well being. The fall and winter season often tend to be damp. Dampness is another climatic factor that can affect the body. Congealed dampness produces phlegm in the body and can actually increase cholesterol levels as well as aggravate many other conditions.

If you tend to have a medical condition that seems to flare up in certain seasons or environments, consider a personal consultation, to determine the correct course of action to restore balance to your body.

Meridian Harmonics