Spring and our Health

How does spring can mess with our health?

Spring is a funny time in Melbourne. One day it’s sunny and warm, the next it’s icy cold and you’re wondering if winter has snuck back in. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the drill — four seasons in a day. But while we might laugh about it over a delicious coffee, our bodies don’t always find it so amusing.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, the seasons aren’t just something happening “out there.” Even if you spend most of your day inside, your body is still tuned into the rhythms of nature. And Spring is a particularly powerful one.

The Chinese Medicine View of Spring

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Spring is associated with:

The Liver –The Liver – not just the organ itself, but the whole ‘Liver system,’ which acts like the body’s traffic controller, keeping circulation, digestion, and emotions running smooth.
The element Wood – think growth, rising up, expansion, flexibility, and renewal.
The emotion of Anger – when the Liver Qi is flowing well, you feel motivated and inspired. When it’s stuck, you might feel cranky, irritable, or easily frustrated.

Spring is about movement, fresh starts, and rising energy — just like plants sprouting up after winter. But that upward, expansive energy can also cause some chaos in our bodies, especially when the weather is unpredictable (hello Melbourne).

Why Melbourne Spring Hits Hard

The joke about Melbourne’s “four seasons in one day” isn’t just small talk — it’s a perfect storm for your system:

Hayfever flare-ups – wind and pollen irritate your nose, eyes, and throat.
Migraines & headaches – Liver Qi rising too strongly can push energy up to the head.
Asthma & breathing issues – changeable temps stress the Lungs.
Inflammatory conditions – arthritis, skin flare-ups, or digestive upsets can worsen with volatile weather.

And let’s be honest, constantly wondering if you’ll need sunscreen or a raincoat can be emotionally exhausting too.

How to Support Your Body This Spring

Luckily, Chinese medicine has a few simple ways to help you ride the ups and downs:

Move your body – gentle exercise like walking, stretching, or yoga helps Liver Qi move smoothly.
Eat green – leafy greens, sprouts, and seasonal veggies are perfect for Spring and support the Liver.
Keep flexible – physically (stretch those muscles) and mentally (try not to lose it when the weather app lies to you).
Protect from wind – in TCM, “wind” is the main troublemaker in Spring. Scarves aren’t just fashion accessories — they actually help protect the neck and shoulders from invasion.
Breathe & unwind – meditation, slow breathing, or acupuncture can calm irritability and balance emotions.

When to Get Help

If you notice that Spring isn’t just giving you the odd sniffle but triggering more serious problems — migraines, asthma, skin rashes, or ongoing fatigue — it’s a sign your system needs some support. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help settle the turbulence, smooth the Liver Qi, and get you back in balance.