How to Manage the edginess of spring

April! That spring wind is kicking up, and people are feeling it. Itchiness, edginess, irritation- all of these feelings are fairly normal this time of year, when the air warms up and cools back down in fits and starts, and the wind blows around and then dies down again.
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That edgy, pushy energy has a purpose, however. In traditional Chinese medical theory, spring is the season of growth, and one of the images often seen is of a tenacious little tree growing right through a rock. Growth in this light means being undeterred by difficulties, flexible enough to withstand even the most daunting obstacles that may appear in your way. Think of what it takes to be a seed unfurling your first leaf in this kind of weather- icy rain and gusts of wind one day, hot sun another. You have to be pretty committed to survival to manage your first few days of life in that kind of atmosphere! That fierceness is the very signature of being alive.

If you find yourself being overwhelmed or overly irritated by your response to this spring energy, you might find it helpful to get some acupuncture! Just as the weather seems all over the place at this time of year, our internal cycles can feel the same way. Using acupuncture to regulate the flow of qi in our bodies is a solution. Points on your face can help with allergy-related inflammation, and ear points and others can be utilized to help smooth that uneven flow and get you back into rhythm.

A few things to try at home:​

1. Use the heel of one foot to massage the top of the other, especially between the first and second toes. This area includes a famously powerful point for calming intense energy.

2. Regulate your breath to regulate your energy: close your eyes and breathe in for a slow count of four, out for a slow count of six. Continue for as long as needed.

​3. Ear massage! It’s not just for your pets. Give your ears a vigorous massage for even a few seconds and notice how good it feels.

Community Room Schedule for the month of May ​

Thank you for reading! As always, we gladly welcome your feedback; tell us what is working for you, and please let us know what we can do better!

Take good care,
Demetra

Demetra Markis, L.Ac., Community Room Director
Cotati Community Acupuncture

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