Here in Southern California, our autumn does not look like the rest of the country. We often experience extended late-summer heat alongside the first moments of crisp evening air. This atmospheric back-and-forth can easily disrupt the body — marking the beginning of cold and flu season.
In Chinese medicine, autumn is associated with Dryness and the health of the Lungs. As we step out of summer mode, it is time to ground ourselves, protect our defensive energy (Wei Qi), and recommit to restorative habits.
Seven shifts for the season
- Protect your neck. Wind is considered a primary driver of seasonal illness in traditional medicine. Keep a lightweight linen or cotton scarf handy for those sudden evening temperature drops.
- Shift toward warm, grounding foods. Swap cold raw salads and iced drinks for slow-cooked soups, stews, and roasted root vegetables. Warm foods preserve your digestive fire, allowing the body to spend less energy on digestion and more on immune defense.
- Prioritize deep hydration. Dry autumn air dehydrates mucous membranes, making us more susceptible to airborne bugs. Focus on room-temperature water, herbal teas, and rich bone broths.
- Incorporate daily sinus rinses. A neti pot or sterile saline sinus rinse is an excellent preventative practice, particularly when colleagues or family members start coming down with bugs.
- Supplement wisely. Consider a high-quality Vitamin D3 supplement as daylight hours shorten. Keep elderberry and zinc lozenges close by — use them at the absolute first tickle in your throat.
- Cook with culinary medicine. Add immune-supportive aromatics generously to dinner: garlic, onions, fresh ginger, and oregano are all culinary medicine in the most literal sense.
- Balance vigorous movement with stillness. Aim for 30 minutes of daily movement to keep lymphatic circulation flowing, but protect your reserves by dedicating at least 5 minutes to quiet mindfulness or meditation each day.
A single acupuncture session at the start of a new season is one of the best preventative investments you can make. It helps reset your baseline and prepare your system for the months ahead.