It’s hard to believe that despite the winter storm that hit the east coast last week and the weather that just won’t seem to warm up, we’re already a week into the spring season. However, the transition from winter to spring is rarely quick, as it takes weeks for flowers to grow and blossom and temperatures to rise. This transitional time of year allows for the perfect opportunity to detox and let go of anything that’s been weighing you down throughout the winter.
As I’ve shared in the past, the appearance and health of your skin (which is your largest organ, by the way) ultimately depends on the health of your entire body. Your skin can often reflect what’s happening inside your body. If your body is tired, run-down, and stressed, it’s likely your skin will show signs of your symptoms. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the element of wind and has an emphasis on the liver and gallbladder during this time. It is believed that focusing on the wellbeing of these two organs will ensure overall good health. In particular, your liver is said to be responsible for regulating the flow of your qi (or life force), which maintains balance in the body. Here are three lifestyle tweaks I recommend incorporating into your routine to have the best skin (and overall health) this spring:
As one of my longstanding morning rituals, beginning the day with warm water with lemon hydrates and detoxifies your body. Since the start of spring signifies new beginnings, it’s a perfect time to let go of some of your vices, such as too many cups of highly stimulating coffee that can stress out your body. Replacing coffee with lemon water allows you start the day on a better note, while helping your body flush out toxins first thing in the morning.
Traditional Chinese Medicine wisdom suggests moving away from sour foods and towards sweet and slightly pungent foods in order to best support your liver and gallbladder. Specifically dark, leafy greens are considered an ideal spring food, thanks to their high concentration of chlorophyll, which is associated with the greenery of spring. Gently warming pungent foods, such as fennel, rosemary, and oregano, are also ideal for spring, as they help to get your qi flowing after the long winter. However, warming foods should be consumed in moderation to avoid adding too much heat to the body.
It’s so important to get your circulation flowing in the springtime to break free from the stagnant nature of winter. Incorporating movement into your routine gets your blood circulating. Whether you simply flow through a yoga sequence at home or go for a walk, it matters less what the activity is and more that you are moving your body.
Incorporating these recommendations this spring will help to support your inner health, which undoubtedly reflects on the outside too. If you’re wondering about how to tweak your topical skincare routine for spring, check out my ultimate spring skincare guide, which guides you step by step through how to layer your products for glowing skin.
Have you heard of these Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts and making lifestyle changes seasonally? Did you know that adding certain foods into your diet to reflect the seasonal shift could help you look and feel your best? Feel free try my suggestions for little lifestyle tweaks that can have a big impact on your health and appearance this spring. Your skin will thank you!
Thank you so much for reading and so generously sharing! It’s always fabulous sharing these lovely tips with you all!
With all my love,
Cecilia
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