Lung – Metal – Dryness

Harvest, Letting Go, Contraction

Qi begins to contract and move inward.
Lung governs respiration, skin, immunity, and grief

Go to bed earlier, rise with dawn 🌤
Begin inward reflection and simplify schedule.
Release unnecessary attachments, emotional or material.
Protect against dryness (skin, respiratory system)

Eat moistening, pale-coloured foods: pears, white fungus, sesame.
Avoid overly spicy, drying foods.
Practice breathing exercises and gentle Qi Gong

Autumn

Kidney – Water – Cold

Rest, Storage, Preservation

Yin is dominant; Jing (Essence) should be protected.
Kidney governs reproduction, bones, and deep reserves

Sleep more, rest, avoid staying up late 🌙
Minimise social activity; turn inward.
Keep warm, especially the lower back and feet.
Practice still meditation or quiet Tai Chi

Eat warming, salty, deeply nourishing foods: lamb, bone broth, seaweed.
Avoid cold/raw food and excessively cooled fruits.
Use moxibustion or warming herbs for Yang deficiency

Winter

Spring

Liver – Wood – Wind

Birth, Renewal, Expansion

Liver Qi begins to rise like spring vegetation.
Stagnation or constraint leads to frustration, PMS, and headaches
Wake early with the sun.
Stretch, walk outdoors, keep flexible (physically and emotionally)
Initiate new projects, express creativity.
Avoid anger and emotional suppression.
Eat green, light, ascending foods: leafy greens, sprouts, vinegar.
Avoid greasy, heavy, and excessively spicy foods.
Clear Winter stagnation with mild detox (e.g. dandelion tea)

Summer

Heart – Fire – Heat

Growth, Connection, Joy

Yang is at its peak, Qi flows freely.
Heart governs Shen (spirit); excess stimulation can cause Heart Fire

Rise early and be active.
Engage in joyful social interaction, laughter, love.
Avoid overexertion and emotional extremes.
Rest briefly during midday heat

Favor cooling, moistening foods: watermelon, cucumber, mung beans.
Avoid heavy, greasy foods and excess alcohol.
Hydrate well and eat smaller meals

Late Summer

Spleen – Earth – Damp

Stability, Nourishment, Cantering

Spleen Qi is vulnerable to Dampness and overthinking.
Digestive health is key to immunity and energy

Establish routine and regular meals.
Practice mindfulness, reduce worry and multitasking.
Avoid overworking, especially mentally.
Walk barefoot on soil (Earth connection)

Eat warm, cooked, mildly sweet foods: pumpkin, millet, carrots.
Avoid cold, raw, and oily foods.
Use herbs like ginger and orange peel to support digestion

The practice of living in harmony with nature and the seasons is a foundational preventive strategy known as “顺应自然” (shùn yìng zì rán) — following nature’s rhythms. This concept is rooted in Daoist philosophy, especially the belief that humans are a microcosm of the natural world, and that health depends on aligning internal cycles with external environmental changes. It means adjusting one’s lifestyle (work, rest, activity), diet, clothing, emotions, sleep, exercise, and medical treatment (herbs, acupuncture) to be coordinated with the Qi of each season. Each season is associated with a specific Element, Zang organ, climatic factor, emotional tendency, and direction of Qi movement (rising, dispersing, sinking, storing).

Living According to Nature and the Seasons