10 Tip to regain your sanity using the fall.
To be honest, as much as I love the Summer in British Columbia, Canada under these “extraordinary” times we are in, I am happy that the Fall is HERE! Why you might ask?
Using the natural rhythms of our beautiful seasons here, helps to attune me the the natural world and to my own Innate natural wisdom. Nature is a powerful teacher and in the fall we can see the letting go process. It teaches us that it is inevitable and completely natural and beautiful. It shows us that we are able to let go, heal and renew ourselves.
Of course that is always possible but the fall and the spring are great seasons to use as spring-boards to move us to use our will and impetus to change.Our bodies in these two seasons naturally want to let go of:
- “waste” ,
- of old emotions,
- of habits that no longer serve us,
- our chronic pains,
- disorders and diseases.
The 5 Elemests:
In eastern philosophy and medicine everything is comprised of 5 elements, Wood, Fire, Water, Metal and Earth. Every season has an element and the Autumn Is part of the Metal element and as you can see at the image below our lungs, colon and skin tends to get affected and needs support.
Lungs - It never fails around this time many people catch colds and during the pandemic that can be very stressful as how do you really know if you have just a common cold, or COVID-19?
Skin - Dry skin is common around this time of the year and mucous membranes too. I am a big fan of dry brushing the skin to stimulate your lymphatic system and Improve circulation. Letting go of dead skin bring renewal, regeneration and a healthy glow.
The colon can be irritate with buildup of mucus, gas and inflammation over the year/s and you might be experiencing:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Gas
- Distention
- Abdominal pain
- Lower back pain (due to constipation)
- Polyps & hemorrhoids.
What can you do?
Eating clean, simple foods that are high in soluble fiber and foods that remove mucus out of the body. Each body is so unique and different and you can be dealing with food sensitivities, allergies, intolerances and stresses that have been building up to create systemic inflammation. If that is the case it helps to have the guidance of a Functional Medical Doctor, or a Naturopathic Doctor,Dr Rebecca Handford
http://rebeccahandford.com for testing and guidance.
Where I can help is releasing the stress on the colon and improve the function of the movement and action of your digestive tract and elimination. If you under chronic stress for some of us it shows up in our colon, part of the chronic state is a dysregulated nervous system, that when it overstimulated, or overwhelmed creates tension, spasms and inflammation in your organs.
Sometimes you can have the best diet and exercise but if your nervous system is not regulated you will have symptoms that don’t go away. My lungs without fail always want to clear mucus that has been building up from mucus forming foods throughout the year. Like many of you, I love food all kinds of food, It is one of my pleasures and joys ever since I was a kid being nourished in the kitchens of my grandmother, mother and aunts.
Unfortunately excess of certain foods can build up mucus in your digestive tract which then moves into your lungs and if you are not careful can move to you brain. When mucus is created by impaired digestion, it likes to end up in the lungs and large intestine. When it moves into the lungs, the usual symptom is phlegm coming up while coughing (especially after eating something that is inherently difficult to digest such as cold dairy products or greasy foods).
When the dampness Is stored in the large intestine, we find mucus-lined stools, loose stools, sticky stools that are difficult to clean up after or diarrhea with undigested bits of food.
Even intestinal rumblings are due to dampness. Internal dampness is directly due to the impaired transformative and transportive function of the spleen system.
Great reference to understand deeper https://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31706">https://acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31706</a>
Mucus-Producing Foods
There are certain foods that, when eaten, can cause our bodies to produce even more mucus than ordinary or thicken the mucus that is already created, causing havoc in a different way.
Therefore, avoiding these items can help ease the chronic mucus problems typically experienced with COPD. With that thought in mind, here are some mucus-causing or mucus-thickening foods to consider removing from your diet:
- Red meat
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Ice Cream
- Butter
- Eggs
- Bread
- Pasta
- Cereal
- Bananas
- Cabbage
- Potatoes
- Corn and corn products
- Soy products
- Sweet desserts
- Candy
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Alcoholic beverages
- Excess raw fruits and veggies (mold buildup)
So what’s left to eat? Foods That Reduce Mucus
While it may seem like you can’t eat anything because all of the major food groups have already been wiped out, there are actually some foods left that have the ability to reduce your mucus production.
Here are some of them:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Sardines
- Flounder
- Pumpkin
- Pumpkin seeds
- Grapefruit
- Pineapple
- Watercress
- Celery
- Pickles
- Onion
- Garlic
- Honey or agar
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Cayenne pepper
- Chamomile
- Olive oil
- Broth
- Decaf tea
- Daikon
- Radishes
- Chives
- Arugula
The Psycho – Emotional aspects
Many people experience a melancholy as we move into fall, some remember people who have passed away (more people die in the fall then any other season) ,grief and a sense of loss are the theme; on a conscious or subconscious levels.
We remember and come to realize parts of us that we have compromised in relationships, in career, in life and that can move us inward to a depressed state. Now more than ever there are many little things that we’ve all lost with this pandemic, many things that we have taken for granted are not possible. We are in a collective loss and we collectively are grieving . Not to mention the smoke from the massive fires in the USA west coast that we were and still are exposed to for weeks were also a tipping point for how we feel.
The State of the bodymind
Oppressed, can’t breath properly, anxious, slightly in shock, compressed, compromised and confused. Unable to digest, unable to let go until we can’t hold onto it anymore and we implore, explode, to release the pressure.
Taking in the constant bombardment of information not knowing what to assimilate and what not, what to discern is true and a clear picture of the future. Upset, confused, hazed and dazed , or hypervigilant in survival mode trying to get a sense of control in the uncertain.
These are some of the feelings that can affect the health of your lungs, colon and skin and your mind.
So what can we do? What are some tools and strategies you can use?
Here are 10 suggestions:
1. The Self Inventory – Make the time with your diary and write down all the things in your life currently that are not longer serving you health, well – being and your higher good. For example – Your habits, choices, relationships.
2. House cleaning – Why you must ask ?
Well I find for some people it’s easier to start the inner work with the other work. Furthermore your house needs to be your sanctuary, your safe place, your place of renewal and balance. Declutter the house of things that don’t serve you any more, go room by room and with the time that you have and energy. You will be surprised how much that helps you right away.
3. Purify your Air – Since the lungs are your first line of defence!
Make sure that your home and your office has a high quality air purifier with hepa filters. Get plants that can also help with air and pollution purification.
4. Aromatherapy Diffuser – I am a big fan and use it everyday in office and home to clean the air using ; Eucalyptus, Thyme, lemon, cinnamon, lavender and orange are some of my favourites and all have antibacterial properties. Alternatively steam inhalation over a pot of boiling water helps clear mucus out of sinuses and lungs.
5. Clear your body – Restrict the mucus forming foods/or abstain and concentrate on cleaning your body from the inside out with foods that clear mucus.
6. Hot and Cold Exposure – I am a big fan of using the Sauna through the fall and winter and cold showers, or much more fun cold swims in rivers, lakes and ocean. It not only helps with detoxification but building resilience in your nervous system when done correctly and proper guidance.
7. Social connection – We are humans and we depress if we don’t express. We need to be heard and connect emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually. After much research it Is the number one contributing factor to longevity and joy.
8. Letting go can be creative and fun – The fall is such a great opportunity to create something new. Start a project, a creative endeavour, take classes, learn something new, or expand on your knowledge. Make sure it gives you joy and nourishment, or at least leads you to it. Just as your lungs crave fresh new oxygen/life so do you. Creative means being in creation mode and that could be anything that resonates with your unique self.
9. Conscious support system – Have you took the time to create your support network that holds you when you are down, or kicks you in the butt when you are stuck, or just makes you laugh, where you go be yourself and are encouraged to grow and evolve?
Well now is a good time. Weave together consciously that network of people, if you don’t know those people ask for help, or try joining different communities/groups.
10. Letting go is a practice not an experience – Everyday we die and regenerate, your cells do that so fast you can’t see it but that is the reality.
Develop a practice where you let go of your thoughts, stresses, past, possible future, hurts, fears, reactions, or non reactions, judgements, cravings, aversions, guilts, shame and regrets.
Everyday is an opportunity to be conciously practicing it and moving towards joy, peace and ease.Please share some of your thoughts and feelings about this, or some of your own tips and experiences. I would love to hear that and share this with others we are all in it together.
Sincerely yours,
Mihael Mamychshvili, RST, NPR
Creator NeuroPath Reset