Living in Harmony with the Seasons: Spring

According to the Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon, one of the oldest texts on Chinese Medicine), Springtime demands the following:

“The three months of Spring are called ‘the period of beginning and spreading.’
Heaven and Earth together give birth to life, and the ten thousand things flourish.
One should go to bed late and rise early.
Walk freely about the courtyard with loosened hair and relaxed body,
so that the Will may grow and flourish.
Give life and do not kill.
Give and do not take.
Reward and do not punish.
This is the correspondence with the qi of spring and the way to nourish life.
If one goes against this, the Liver qi will be injured;
in summer there will be cold disease,
and there will be insufficient growth.”

The clocks have rolled forward, the birds are singing, and the snow is (finally) melting. It’s officially Springtime!

Spring undoubtedly lifts our spirits, as it brings new and exciting energy of growth and renewal (hello budding flowers and baby ducklings!). Nature knows that this is the time of Yang Rising: a time of progression and movement, a transition from the Yin of winter to the utmost Yang of Summer. This is the season of expansion in all aspects of life.

To live in accordance with the laws of nature, we should lean into the increasing Yang energy of Spring. In the classical medical text Huang Di Nei Jing, it is said that one should “go to bed late and rise early.” The body requires slightly less sleep in the Spring so it can align with longer daylight and rising activity. This contrasts with Winter, when longer sleep is necessary to store Yin.

The text also instructs us to “walk freely about the courtyard with loosened hair and relaxed body.” In other words, we should spend time outdoors, moving the body gently and freely. Spring encourages movement, but still gentle movement, as Yang has not yet reached its peak.

Spring is associated with the Liver and the Wood element. Just as a young sapling needs expansion and movement in order to grow, our bodies require movement during this season as well. However, too much forcefulness can stunt growth. Flexibility is key.

The passage also says that the “Will may grow and flourish.” This means that when the body moves outward gently, our intentions, aspirations, and inner drives are able to grow as well. Physical movement supports emotional and mental movement.

The instructions “Give life and do not kill” and “Give and do not take” reflect the nature of Spring and the Wood element: birth, renewal, and generosity. This is a season for giving, nurturing, and contributing more than we take.

The Huang Di Nei Jing also warns that if we do not live in accordance with the nature of Spring, “the Liver qi will be injured,” which can lead to “cold disease in the summer” and “insufficient growth.”

Spring is ruled by the Liver, or rather, the Liver shares the same qualities as Spring: it requires movement and expansion for good health. In Chinese Medicine, the Liver is responsible for “coursing and discharging,” meaning it ensures the smooth flow of Qi, Blood, and Emotions throughout the body.

Interestingly, this concept is not entirely different from the biomedical understanding of the liver. The liver plays a central role in regulating circulation, metabolism, and hormone processing. Research shows that physical movement improves liver metabolism, increases hepatic blood flow, reduces liver fat, regulates stress hormones, and supports circadian rhythms.

When we do not move with the energy of Spring, both physically and emotionally, Liver Qi can stagnate, which can lead to imbalance in the body.

In Chinese Medicine, the Liver is considered the “mother” of the Heart and the Fire element, which rule the Summertime. In other words, how we care for ourselves in Spring directly supports our health in Summer. If we do not move and grow with the energy of Spring, the following season will not be properly nourished, making us more susceptible to illness. When the Liver’s movement and growth are supported now, the Heart and Fire will have enough Yang to fully express the energy of the peak Yang season.

You may notice that it is easier to feel frustrated, irritable, or stuck in the Spring. These can be signs of Liver Qi stagnation. Gentle movement can often help resolve this quickly. Eating acrid yet cooling foods, such as peppermint, as well as detoxifying greens like broccoli and bok choy, can help “dredge” a stuck Liver.

Others whose constitution is more Wood in nature may experience the opposite: an overactive Liver, where rising symptoms occur more easily. These can include trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, anxiety, or headaches (often on the sides of the head). In these cases, exercising earlier in the morning can be helpful, along with eating sour and astringent foods such as citrus, apples, and tomatoes.

People may also notice allergies, muscle twitching, or tremors more frequently in the Spring. These are forms of Wind, which is common in this season (even the climate itself tends to be windier). In these cases, blood-nourishing foods such as red meat, dates, beets, red berries, and bone broth can be supportive.

Of course, acupuncture can help address all of these symptoms!

It is natural to feel a bit jittery in the Spring; or the complete opposite, feeling stuck. Both can be signs that the Liver needs to course properly. The key is movement, but gentle, free movement.

Living in accordance with the seasons is one of the most important ways we can maintain health throughout the year.