Dampness in Spring

The long-awaited spring has begun its gentle arrival. Insects are awakening, days are stretching out, and temperatures are rapidly warming the frost of winter. Spring is associated with fertility, rain, and renewal; its color is green. This is a season where our bodies begin to awaken with the arising nature of spring and come out of winter’s hibernation. The element of spring is wood, and the organ is the liver. This season encourages us to seek nourishment in the vibrant greens of the plants popping up all around us, allowing the body to cleanse from excess food, desires and heavy emotions. Spring is also a time of increased rain, sometimes contributing to dampness in the body. Keeping our internal environments dry and light, through dietary and lifestyle tweaks and extra movement can decrease dampness and sluggish feelings to help us feel revitalized with the spring.

Food: Dampness can be caused by weak Spleen Qi circulation and Stomach digestion. The state of our Stomach needs to be warm to digest food and absorb nutrients. Our body maintains a temperature of 98.6 degrees; foods colder than this require extra effort to warm before breaking down and digesting. Diets that are filled with cold and raw foods, such as iced coffee, salads, smoothies, or ice cream will be more taxing on the digestive system. This is different for everyone, as those with excess heat may benefit from a few cooling foods like mung bean, cucumber, celery, or melons in the summer. For many of us, however, dampness-clearing foods paired with green foods and lighter meals will prove to be beneficial in the spring season. These foods include microgreens, spinach, spring onion, garlic cabbage, arugula, and herbs such as mint, fennel, and basil. Naturally sweet foods like carrots and beets strengthen the Stomach and Spleen while providing the sweet flavor that tonifies them. Consuming fewer meat-heavy foods, fried foods, and foods high in sugar and dairy will also help to prevent overworking the Spleen and keep dampness at bay.

Clothing: During spring, we begin to shed winter coats and boots to gravitate towards comfortable and lightweight clothing. Caught in the excitement, many of us leap in and shed as much clothing as possible to jump into the warmer weather. But we forget that accompanying the tempting sun and warmer temperatures is wind. Wind, combined with rain, makes the perfect pair for an early spring cold. Make sure to utilize layering to protect your defensive Qi (essentially your immune system) with a scarf, a lightweight jacket, and socks. While cotton clothing is breathable and suitable for most days, it also absorbs moisture. If you’re experiencing rainy days where you live, try opting for moisture-wicking clothes.

Lifestyle: Spring is often mistaken for summer, with many of us seeking to do as many activities as possible. This is still a transitional time, we are awakening from winter alongside nature. This is the time for slow walks in the woods, taking time to appreciate nature's abundance that was sleeping for so long. Participating in breath work and gentle exercises like qi gong, gardening, or yoga allows an appreciation for the fresh spring air while moving our bodies. Since spring is a time of great change, we will begin to see this manifest in our lives. Taking time to notice the changes around us, what no longer serves us, and what to release makes way for new beginnings and greatly prepares us for summer. Before jumping outward into the world, make sure to look inward and allow the gentle nature of spring to show you the way.