What is the 5th season?
I hope you had a great end of summer and LDW! Mine ended with an exciting bang!💥 More details to come soon…
We’re now in that space between Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, and the fall equinox, the official end of summer.
While it may be tempting to rush into your fall routine and those end of year goals, it’s important to honor the current transition for optimal vitality and mental well-being.
In the Eastern Medicine calendar, this late autumn time of the year is known as the 5th season.
There are several reasons it’s considered a separate season and as such also very specific ways you can support your immune system and energy levels for a smooth and healthy transition into Autumn.
Why is late autumn the 5th season?
Spring and summer are considered Yang seasons with lots of heat and activity while fall and winter are considered Yin seasons with cooler temps and more inactivity.
There are lots of ways this change manifests that you might already be aware of.
After an early summer of drier heat, late summer is characterized by an increase in humidity and overall dampness in the earth and air.
This late summer dampness in our ecosystem can impact our bodies mentally and physically in things feeling more puffy, sticky and heavy.
You might notice:
Overall lethargy
Random lumps or bumps
Feelings of boredom or mental brooding
Bloating or water retention
Increased congestion, mucus and phlegm
And since we’re shifting towards the slower yin energy seasons you might also notice a general feeling of slowness in your thoughts, processes and even metabolism.
It’s important to take care of ourselves during this transition so that we can protect ourselves from late summer colds, frustration, overwhelm and exhaustion.
Here are 5 ways to proactively care for your body and mind during this 5th season.
Incorporate more cooked foods and less salads and raw vegetables and swap out your iced coffee for hot
Prioritize sleep and a regular sleep schedule
Pause to check in with how you’re feeling- overwhelmed? Under-stimulated? Energized? Drained?
Honor and acknowledge all that you’ve done in the past two Yang seasons of spring and summer
Begin to slow down your pace and relish moving into the seasons of doing less
