Each season has its own unique qualities. In the spring, when new leaves grow, there's a return to life. You might feel it in your body too. A waking up, a call to the outdoors and a need to get moving. Maybe you have an urge to declutter the house or eat more nutritious foods, as well.
Springtime can also mean a purge, and one last bout of a runny nose or cough until the fall. Seasonal allergies also start to ramp up now, and you might not even be sure whether your symptoms are from a cold or from allergies or the upcoming eclipse!
I know I've mentioned this before, but many cultures incorporate regular detox practices into their lifestyles, especially in the spring and fall, whether it be saunas, fasts, or parasite cleanses.
You might be experiencing something else, though, a call to rest or to simplify. Perhaps that means you are preparing for the growth and change that is coming your way. No matter your symptoms, its important that you be guided by your own intuitive needs. Almost all my patients deeply know exactly what needs to shift in order to move their health forward, and I serve to facilitate that progression through my own experience and understanding.
Some Considerations for Your Health This Spring
1. Allergies
- Seasonal allergies can make you feel pretty miserable, but can be helped tremendously by reducing overall inflammation and supporting your liver and adrenal glands. Both symptomatic and deeper immune support are needed and helpful.
- Your best tools depend on your unique health story, but I tend to find that Vitamin C, Quercetin, NAC, St Francis Allergy Nasal Spray or nasal rinses, Nettle tea, Acupuncture, and Probiotics can help a lot.
- Read more here
2. Clean up your diet
- Yes, I know that it was just Easter weekend and the chocolate is out. Here's a previous article to help you offset the sugar crash and discover some "healthier" chocolate recipes.
- As more fresh foods start to become available, it becomes easier to enjoy fruits and vegetables again. Raw veggies aren't the best during the colder months (from the Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view), but are great in warmer weather.
- If you'd like to do a more formal reset, that gives you inspiration and accountability, I've just opened up the link to register for my Spring Clean Detox
3. Parasites
- What's the deal? Well, social media has brought this topic to light and stirred up a lot of interest. Parasites may be causing you problems, or could be helping you out by mopping up even less desirable things. In Ontario, stool testing only looks for a few specific ones, especially if you've recently travelled. In reality there are MANY more beyond what is found in regular testing from OHIP. (Yes, I've used fascinating gut tests from U.S. labs).
- Ditching these passengers needs to be done carefully, since they can release the things they were mopping up in your body, and parasites have specific lifecycles.
- I know this sounds icky. Keep in mind that other microorganisms actually outnumber our own cells, and this is normal!
- Spring is a great time to consider using some anti-parasitic herbs
- Some basic signs of parasites can be: itchy bum, teeth grinding, 'craziness' around the full moon, stomach pain or bloating, iron or other nutrient deficiency, fatigue, weight loss, brain fog, trouble sleeping - as you can see, many of these could also be signs of other things too
4. Adjust Your Protocols
- There are different health considerations for the spring than for winter months. You may need to lower your dose of Vitamin D soon, or begin exposing your skin to morning sunlight, or support your nervous system as the schedules get busier again.
- Book your seasonal check-in to discuss changing your remedies, vitamins and other protocols.
5. Spring Sun
- I just learned the coolest thing about getting spring sunlight: it actually helps prepare your skin for the stronger summer sunrays.
- In the spring, the UV light is less intense but still allows us to build up our melanin. More melanin means more sun protection, and also more cellular energy. Eating foods rich in polyphenols & flavonoids (like berries) helps too.
6. Hydrate
- Some of us do tend to gravitate a bit away from water during the winter, and I've noticed more people telling me that they haven't been drinking enough - so I just thought you could use a little reminder ;)
- I do actually count herbal, non-caffeinated teas towards your water intake for the day so use them if you need to up your hydration
- There are a few more electrolyte mixes on the market that taste pretty great and help to spice up the flavour (without the chemical sweeteners). These also help to replenish minerals, which are missing from our depleted soil.
This year has been rolling pretty quickly. I look forward to catching up with you soon!
Take good care of yourself and each other,
Dr Christa