How to Support Your Health Through the Fall Season – Chinese Medicine Tips
This topic has come up multiple times in the clinic this week, which usually means it's time to share it more widely.
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash
Here in Maine, the transition into autumn is unmistakable. The days are getting shorter, the air is turning crisp, and sweaters are making their way out of the back of the closet. As the outside world changes, so too must our bodies—and how we care for them.
In Chinese medicine, we recognize that energy (or Qi) behaves differently depending on the season. In summer, our energy runs more superficially—closer to the surface of the body. As fall sets in and cooler temperatures arrive, that energy needs to retreat inward, to protect and nourish us from the inside out.
This natural transition is part of living in harmony with the seasons. But it’s not automatic, and our modern lifestyles don’t always support it. So here are two key things to keep in mind:
1. We need to protect the body as the cold starts creeping in—especially while our energy is still lingering at the surface.
2. We can also support the body’s natural inward movement—helping it transition smoothly into fall and winter.
Why does this matter?
Because when we live in rhythm with the seasons, we support not just our physical health, but our mental and emotional well-being, too.
Aligning our lifestyle with seasonal shifts is a cornerstone of preventative care in Chinese medicine—and it's powerful.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but here are a few practical ways to begin tuning into fall and supporting your health this season:
🍂 Simple Ways to Support Your Body This Autumn
Tuck in your shirt.
Wear a camisole, tank top, or undershirt that hugs the body and covers your belly and lower back. This helps keep your core warm and protected from drafts—especially important when your energy is still vulnerable near the surface.
Dry your hair.
If you’ve been heading out with wet hair during warmer months, now’s the time to stop. Leaving the house (or going to bed!) with wet hair in cool weather puts your body at risk. Take the extra time to dry it fully.
Wear a scarf.
In Chinese medicine, the lungs are considered the “delicate organ” because of how easily they’re affected by the external environment. Scarves and clothing that cover your chest, neck, and upper back are especially important if you’re prone to:
Colds and flu
Respiratory infections
Asthma
A history of pneumonia
Any lung-related weakness
Eat warm food.
This is a big one. Cold salads, smoothies, and raw snacks might have worked in summer, but as temperatures drop, your digestion needs more warmth. Focus on cooked, nourishing meals like:
Soups
Stews
Roasted vegetables
Warm leftovers
Brothy dishes
🔍 Don’t Just Take My Word For It—Feel It For Yourself
Try this simple experiment:
Eat mostly warm, cooked food for 3 days.
Then switch to mostly raw or cold food for the next 3 days.
Compare how your body feels.
Notice the difference between:
Leaving the house with wet hair on a chilly morning vs. drying it completely.
Wearing a loose top vs. one that covers your low back on a cold day.
These may seem like small changes, but they can have a big impact. Lifestyle medicine has been a vital part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years because it works—gently, consistently, and preventively.
Let your body guide you.
Stay warm, stay nourished, and stay in tune.
