Warming Up: Tips for Staying Healthy as the Weather Cools
As the Ballarat mornings get cooler and the days get shorter, our bodies begin to shift with the season - just like nature does. In Chinese medicine, Autumn is associated with the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, the element of Metal, and themes of letting go, immunity, and reflection.
This is a time to gently nourish, warm, and support ourselves - especially if you tend to feel the cold, notice more fatigue, or find your digestion or emotions are a little more sensitive as the seasons turn.
Here are a few simple ways to support your health through the cooler months.
1. Start Your Day Warm
Switching from cold smoothies and raw foods to warm, cooked meals can make a huge difference to your digestion and energy. Try starting your morning with a bowl of oats, some gently cooked apples or pears with cinnamon, or even a savoury congee or broth if that suits your tastes.
If you’re a tea drinker, consider sipping on a warming herbal tea like ginger, cinnamon, or chai spices. My favourite? A ginger and goji berry tea - which is gently warming and gently nourishing. You can find the recipe here.
2. Cover the Back of Your Neck
In Chinese medicine, we say that “Wind is the beginning of 100 diseases” meaning that wind, as a pathogenic factor, can lead to or exacerbate a wide range of ailments - and it’s said to enter the body through the back of the neck. This is why scarves and collars are more than just fashion as the weather cools!
A warm scarf can help protect your immune system and prevent those sneaky chills that turn into headaches, stiffness, or colds.
3. Support the Lungs
The Lungs are especially active and vulnerable in autumn. Gentle breathing, regular movement (like a walk outside or some Qigong), and keeping the chest warm all help support your respiratory health and mood.
The emotion associated with the Lungs is grief - and many people find this time of year can bring old feelings to the surface. That’s not a bad thing. Be gentle with yourself. Make space for rest and reflection, and don’t be afraid to reach out if you need support.
4. Eat Seasonal, Cooked, and Colourful
Soups, stews, and slow-cooked meals are the best right now. They’re easy to digest and deeply nourishing. Try to include:
Colourful veggies like carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato
Warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, turmeric
Cooked greens like broccoli, kale, or spinach
Whole grains and legumes for grounding energy
For some autumn food inspiration, check out my recipe for Ginger & Goji Berry Tea here.
5. Listen to Your Body
The colder seasons are a time to turn inward, slow down a little, and rebuild. If you feel like you're running on empty, it’s OK to rest. Tiredness, dryness, frequent colds, or emotional overwhelm can be signs that your system needs some support - and acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are beautiful tools for this.
If you're unsure where to start, feel free to reach out or book a treatment. Your body’s wisdom is always speaking - we just have to learn to listen.