Turning Spring Instability into Strength: Menopause and 'Spring Maintenance' from an Acupuncturist's Perspective
When spring arrives, I feel a bit unsettled.
Feeling irritable, unable to sleep,
or feeling sluggish.
"Is it just my age?"While thinking that,
are you spending your days feeling somewhat out of sorts?
Actually,the instability of menopause and the season of 'spring' are
deeply connected.
And understanding this mechanism
is the first step toward taking care of yourself.
The 'instability' of spring and menopause are similar
In Oriental medicine, spring is the season of 'Wood'.
Just like trees budding, it is a time when the energy in the body
starts to move upward.
This 'rising of Qi' is considered
to easily trigger symptoms like
hot flashes, headaches, irritability, and insomnia.
And these
are exactly like the ailments often seen in menopause.
In other words, for those going through menopause,
feeling particularly distressed in spring
is also a natural reaction of the body.
It is not 'all in your head' nor because you are 'weak'.
That is precisely why it is very important to properly
take care of your body during the spring.
Recommended for spring!
3 self-care tips you can start today
1. Open the window in the morning and take a deep breath
In Oriental medicine, spring is the season of the 'Liver'.
The Liver is the organ that regulates the 'flow of Qi',
and it is deeply involved with stress and emotional waves.
Liver Qi is regulated by fresh air and light.
When you wake up in the morning, first open the window and
try to fill your chest with the outside air.
Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 2 seconds, and exhale slowly over 8 seconds—just by repeating this '4-2-8 breathing' 3 times,
your sympathetic nervous system will calm down,
and your foggy head will clear up.
It is a habit that takes only 1-2 minutes, but by continuing it,
you can set the 'starting point for your body' in the morning.
2. Warm up the 'Sanyinjiao' (SP6)
Sanyinjiao is an acupoint located four finger-widths above the inner ankle.
It is also called the
'women's acupoint'because it balances female hormones,
and it addresses various menopausal ailments such as
chills, swelling, irritability, and insomnia.
The method is simple.
When your body is warm, such as after a bath,
try pressing it slowly with your thumb
in a circular motion.
'A little painful but feels good'is the level of pressure
to aim for.
By continuing this for 1-2 minutes on each side every day,
you will start to feel a sense of being restored from the depths of your body.
Just warming it with a heat pack is also effective,so it is also recommended for those who find it difficult to press.
3. Switch to 'slow mode' after 9 PM
During menopause, the autonomic nervous system is easily disrupted,
and many people find their spirits remain high
even at night.
In Oriental medicine, night is the time when 'Yin' deepens.
It is important not to go against this flow
where the body naturally tries to rest.
After 9 PM, dim your smartphone screen and
step away from social media and news for a while.
Instead, drink a cup of herbal tea,
play your favorite music, or write in a diary, and consciously create
'time where you don't use your brain'.
You don't have to do it perfectly.
'Let's take it easy a little earlier tonight'—
that small choice will definitely increase your body's recovery power.
It's okay to go at your own pace.
Menopause is a time when
the body undergoes major changes.
At the same time, it is also a chance to be able to
face your own body more carefully.
The three self-care tips introduced this time
do not require any special tools or time.
Try just one that you think you can do,
starting today.
'Taking care of your own body'is a practice that should gradually
ease the instability of spring.
May your days become even a little lighter.
I will continue to share tips for balancing your mind and body from an acupuncturist's perspective.
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