Seasonal Transition Issues

By Trish Smith, MAc, LAc, Dipl Ac, ADS

Welcome Autumn!This is the season where we savor the fruits and gifts of late summer and prepare for the upcoming winter.

Whether conscious of it or not, this is what we are doing at a body, mind and spirit level.Look outside, notice nature.What are the squirrels, birds and plants doing?

Humans are not necessarily as graceful and peaceful during this transition as the rest of nature.For some of us, this time of year brings on a feeling of dread for the upcoming cold, less daylight, quietness and stillness that winter gifts us.This may show up as anxiety, depression or just an overall “blah” mood.

Autumn is a great time to receive acupuncture.It not only boosts the immune system but can have a balancing or lifting of one's overall mood.Acupuncture is helpful with most seasonal transitions, but particularly during this time of year when the energy is noticeably moving downward.

Acupuncture is also a great compliment to other modalities of managing one's anxiety and/or depression. Used alongside good nutrition, time spent outdoors, massage, counseling andoverall stress reduction, the outcome for those feeling low this time of year is usually promising.