Why are flu’s and cold just as common, sometimes more common in spring as they are in winter? Why do we get winter colds in warmer weather like spring and summer? Chinese medicine has some answers.
As one season ends, another comes. Yin into yang, yang into yin.
While it’s normal around this time of year to rain periodically, its certainly alot colder than it should be for the end of the first month of spring.
The transition between hot and cold seasons is always variable.
The change of season time is when we are the most vulnerable to get sick with cold and flus. One reason could be because lessen our vigilance as the warmer weather approaches. The longer daylight hours, the warmer nights tell us spring is on it’s way and our body can loosen up a bit, which might then open the door to pathogens more easily.
Learn about how Chinese medicine views cold and flu’s in more detail here.
Tips to help lessen your risk of getting sick:
1. Wear a scarf – this will protect your neck from wind and cold invasion.
2. Wear lots of layered clothing. Getting caught out without enough clothes exposes your body to the cold environment. Layers means you won’t be overdressed and get too hot, but you can feel comfortable by not getting unnecessarily too cold either.
3. Have warm clothes ready – Resist the urge to wear lighter clothing just yet, and remember to bring your jacket if your day is likely to turn to evening.
4. Treat symptoms early – herbs and acupuncture are much more effective, and less treatment is needed, when you get to symptoms early on. Marie practices a style of Chinese herbal medicine that has specific formulas for various stages of the common cold and influenza. Even allowing time for rest and recovery instead of “soldiering on” at early stages can often lessen symptoms.
5. Careful when sweating
As spring actually approaches, its the time to do more exercise. Exercise opens our pores, allows sweating so if you’ve already started revving up your exercise and you do come out of the gym on a cold or wet evening (like tonight as I write this email) be extra careful not to expose your hot, wet (sweaty) skin to the environment. Have a shower and change clothes or ensure you have a jacket to protect you as you get to the car. Be careful of running around, getting hot and sweaty in the cold weather.
More about spring and suiting the season here.