THE WOOD ELEMENT – How to go with the flow & embrace new beginnings during Spring

We’ve long been aware of the connection between humans and nature – we share a relationship that is both interdependent and interconnected.

 EARTH,  WATER,  WOOD,  FIRE,  METAL

 These are the five elements that represent everything from a small emotion to a large and destructive tornado. The Five Element theory is the backbone of Chinese medicine and philosophy. Each element within this dynamic cycle manifests through a season, an emotion, a taste, a feeling, etc.

The Wood element is birthed from Water and the season of Winter. The still Yin of winter starts to transform into expansive Yang energy, setting the stage for a time of birth and growth. Wood correlates to the energetic Yin Yang marriage of two important organs: Liver (Yin) and Gall Bladder (Yang).*

EMBODIMENTS OF THE WOOD ELEMENT

A balanced Liver* ensures the smooth flow of Qi & blood and its spirit, HUN, provides an effortless stream of ideas and creativity. This manifests as clear direction in life and a strong connection to your intuition. The expansive nature of this season asks us to envision our dreams and create the necessary steps to bring them into fruition. 

When we don’t feel aligned with our purpose or feel stuck in life, feelings of rigidity increase. This stagnation of energy can cause heightened stress, irritability and anger and will physically manifest as tightness in the neck and shoulders, PMS, and digestive issues. (Expect to hear of more people quitting their corporate jobs to pursue their passion this season!)

ADRENAL SUPPORT

The season of Spring will have us feeling the rigidity of stress on a more personal level. The hormone cortisol is produced by your adrenal glands (small bean shaped organs atop the kidneys) and released during times of stress. When overworked due to long term stress, we’re left with “adrenal fatigue” and feeling symptoms of exhaustion, anxiety, depression, lethargy, brain fog, crashes etc. 

These symptoms are your adrenals signaling to your body that they need a break, luckily we’ve got just the thing to support! Combat stress with this simple afternoon pick me up that your fatigued adrenals will thank you for.

ADRENAL COCKTAIL

• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• 1 scoop collagen powder
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• Pinch of sea salt

*optional* add a tbs of coconut butter from CAP Beauty

*optional* add a scoop of matcha if enjoying in the morning

This nutrient packed take on orange juice will ignite renewal as we emerge from our Winter hibernation.

MORE WAYS TO BE IN TUNE WITH WOOD

Music has the ability to invoke positive feelings and the power to control our mood, we put together a Spring playlist to listen to when you’re feeling stressed, stuck or irritable.

DO'S

• Move your body daily! Movement is the opposite of stagnation and where your mind goes, Qi flows. Think morning stretches before getting out of bed, daily walks, yoga flows.
• Spring cleaning, physically and energetically. Let go of what is no longer serving you.
• Consume green & sour foods (ex: green apples, green onions, parsley, mint, lemon, spirulina, cholera)
• Write down your goals & dreams
• Garden
• Spend time in the Sun

DON'TS

• Stew on feelings of anger & resentment
• Make yourself feel small, expansion is our motto this season
• Compromise on sleep, making sure you’re in bed by 11pm is crucial (when the energy of the Liver is at its peak)
  BODY CLOCK
  
  
  

*When discussing organs through a Traditional Chinese Medicine lens we are referring to the energetic function of the organ, as opposed to the literal organ itself.