In Traditional Chinese Medicine, every season has an organ system associated with it. Spring happens to be the time of the liver. And while that might not sound very profound, it is! I promise! The liver energy is in charge of free-coursing or moving energy, and when that doesn’t happen, the energy gets stuck, pools, and can cause emotional and physical problems. It can even cause a “crawl out of my skin feeling.” During the springtime, the liver is very active. Its job is to grow and expand, much like the roots of a plant. It can feel irritating, annoying, and even a little anxiety-producing. But the good news is that the energy is flowing, remember, that is what the liver energy wants to do… free course. However, there is also the potential that it gets stuck, it does not move like it is supposed to, causing dams of energy throughout the body. This causes exacerbated anxiety, irritability, and depression, and potentially pain, which feels terrible.
The good news with all of this is that you can get acupuncture to help keep your energy moving (it’s honestly one of the best passive ways to improve your outlook), you can use Chinese herbal medicine, and you can MOVE YOUR BODY, don’t be picky, just move! It does not matter what you do, it just matters that you do it. Go for a walk, take a hike, go for a run, do some yoga, climb a mountain, jump in a lake and swim, paddle a canoe, hop on your skateboard, take a spin on your bike, dance, play with your dog or grab the leash and head out around the neighborhood. All those activities or anything else you can think of will get your energy moving easing your emotions and helping you feel better, calmer, and more grounded. In fact, in a recent podcast with Brené Brown, Tim Ferriss, and Dax Shepard talk about how vital their workouts are to their mental health. Both Dax and Tim claim that workouts are their number one way to manage and maintain their emotions and mental fortitude.
When we move, our blood flows, our lungs start to fill and empty, and our endorphins course. And after a few minutes of pumping our arms, huffing and puffing, and feeling our muscles burn, our damaging mood will start to melt away. Our stuck energy will become unstuck, and our frown will become a smile. It easy to remember and easy to implement. When we feel itchy, stuck, or irritated, get out and move your body. Moving your body moves your emotions and you will no longer feel stuck. Our bodies are built to be resilient, if only we give them the time and space to do so! Let me know what some of your favorite activities are and maybe I’ll do that the next I’m feeling stuck and defeated!
