Harnessing the Power of Spring: Support Your Liver & Embrace Growth

On March 20th, 2025, we celebrate the Spring Equinox. Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and expansion—a time when nature awakens, and our bodies naturally follow suit. Much like the New Year, the Spring Equinox symbolizes a fresh start, making this season a powerful time for setting new intentions. Unlike January 1st, when winter’s stillness makes it difficult to initiate change, spring’s rising Yang energy naturally supports transformation, making it an ideal time to refresh your body, mind, and spirit.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Wood element, the Liver and Gallbladder organs, and the energy of movement and flexibility. As the days grow longer and the earth reawakens, so does our need to detoxify, shake off winter stagnation, and embrace new possibilities.

The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body. When functioning well, you feel motivated, flexible, and clear-minded. When out of balance, you may experience stagnation, irritability, and physical discomfort.

Signs of a Balanced Liver:

• Sense of clarity, motivation, creativity

• Flexible muscles and joints with ease of movement

• Smooth digestion and healthy appetite

• Emotional resilience, patience, and adaptability

• Restful sleep and refreshed energy upon waking up

Signs of Liver Imbalance:

• Irritability, frustration, or mood swings

• Headaches, migraines, or eye strain

• Stiffness in the neck, shoulders or joints

• Poor digestion, bloating or sluggishness

• Feeling stuck, unmotivated, or easily overwhelmed

Aligning your habits with the energy of the season can help you feel more balanced, energized, and clear. Supporting the Liver and Gallbladder through diet, lifestyle, and activity choices will ensure a smooth transition into this vibrant time of year.

Diet

Focus on light, fresh, and cleansing foods for liver support and detoxification.

• Leafy greens: leafy greens like spinach, kale, dandelion, and sprouts help cleanse the Liver and invigorate the body.

• Sour foods: Lemon, lime, vinegar, and fermented foods (like kimchi or sauerkraut) support digestion and Liver function.

• Strong flavors: Ginger, garlic, scallions, and cilantro help move stagnant Qi, warm digestion, and fight springtime colds.

Lifestyle

• Detox Your Space & Mind – Embrace the fresh start of spring by clearing out both physical and mental clutter. As you transition to your spring and summer wardrobe, consider donating any winter clothes that went unused. Likewise, take a moment to reflect on habits that no longer serve you, releasing them to create space for new intentions and personal growth.

• Practice Emotional Flexibility – The Liver is closely connected to emotions like frustration and irritability. Support emotional balance by incorporating mindfulness practices such as journaling, deep breathing, or acupuncture to help your energy flow smoothly and reduce stress.

• Refresh Your Space with Fresh Air – Open your windows to invite in fresh air and improve circulation in your home. This simple act helps clear stagnant energy, rejuvenate your environment, and align your space with the vibrant energy of spring.

Activity

• Spend Time in Nature - Take a brisk walk on one of the many hiking trails on the Cape to connect with the rising Yang energy of Spring. Gardening, forest bathing, or surrounding yourself with greenery helps support the Liver and Wood element.

• Move your Lymph - The lymphatic system plays a key role in detoxification, but unlike the circulatory system, it has no pump to move fluids on its own. It relies on movement and manual stimulation to keep things flowing. Encourage detoxification with activities like rebounding, gentle stretching, or hands-on techniques such as Lymphatic Drainage or Bodywork to promote circulation and clear out toxins.

• Balance Your Liver with Acupuncture or Reflexology - If you’re experiencing signs of Liver imbalance such as headaches, irritability, muscle stiffness, or poor digestion, Acupuncture and Reflexology can help restore harmony. These therapies support Liver function, promote smooth Qi flow, enhance detoxification, and relieve discomfort, helping you feel lighter, clearer, and more balanced.

By embracing the natural rhythms of spring and aligning your self-care practices with the season, you can cultivate balance, vitality, and a renewed sense of well-being.

Spring Forward with Ease

Daylight savings time in the spring means longer, sunnier days—but losing an hour of sleep can throw off your routine. If you find yourself feeling groggy or struggling to adjust, don’t worry! With a few simple strategies, you can ease into the time change and make the most of the extra daylight.

1. Soak Up the Morning Sun

One of the best ways to reset your internal clock is to get outside in the morning. Exposure to natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm, making it easier to wake up earlier and feel energized throughout the day. Step outside for a morning walk, have your coffee by a sunny window, or take a few deep breaths in the fresh air.

2. Use Relaxation Aids to Ease into Bedtime

If you’re having trouble falling asleep earlier, try one of our tried-and-true natural sleep aids in the Wellness Shop such as Tart Cherry Sleep Tonic, which promotes your body’s natural melatonin production to support sleep, among other benefits. Or unwind with Sweet Dreams Magnesium Cream to nourish and relax your whole body starting at the tips of your toes. Creating a calming bedtime ritual—such as sipping herbal tea, reading, or practicing deep breathing—can also signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

3. Cut Back on Evening Disruptors

Certain habits can make it harder to fall asleep, especially during the time change. Limit alcohol and sugar in the evening, as they can interfere with sleep quality. Reducing screen time before bed is also key—blue light from phones and TVs suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to drift off. Instead, opt for a book, meditation, or gentle stretching to relax before sleep.

4. Support Your Body with Self-Care

Daylight savings can throw your body out of balance, making you feel sluggish or tense. Massage, Reflexology, or Acupuncture can help you reset, promote relaxation, improve circulation, and help regulate sleep cycles. Booking a session can be a great way to support your body through this seasonal transition.

4. Take Advantage of the Longer Evenings

One of the best parts of daylight savings? More sunlight in the evening! Use this time to get outside—go for a post-work walk, bike ride, or even head to the beach to watch the sunset. Moving your body outdoors not only boosts mood but also helps your sleep-wake cycle adjust more naturally.

5. Get Excited—Summer on Cape Cod is Coming!

The time change may feel like a temporary hurdle, but it’s a sign that warmer weather, beach days, and Cape Cod summer are just around the corner. Embrace the extra daylight, refresh your routine, and look forward to everything the new season has to offer!

By making small adjustments and embracing the change, you’ll be feeling energized and ready for the brighter days ahead. Here’s to a smooth transition into spring!

Enhance Your Massage with LED Add-On

Enhance your Therapeutic Massage experience with the addition of LED light therapy. Proven to reduce inflammation, increase circulation and rejuvenate cellular function, LED light therapy is great for pain reduction, recovery and deep relaxation. Studies continue to show a wide range of benefits for this non-invasive treatment and we’re incredibly excited to now offer LED treatment in your massage session.

Here’s how the addition of LED Therapy can enhance your next Therapeutic Massage:

1. Pain Relief & Muscle Recovery

• Stimulates blood circulation, reducing inflammation and promoting faster healing.

• Helps decrease inflammation helping with conditions like arthritis, bursitis or tendonitis.

• Reduces recovery time by helping with cellular renewal.

2. Mental Health & Sleep Benefits

• Supports melatonin production, improving sleep quality.

• Reduces stress and symptoms of depression by stimulating serotonin and dopamine.

• Promotes overall well being by boosting serotonin production.

3. Cellular Repair & Immune Boosting

• Enhances mitochondrial function, increasing energy production at a cellular level.

• Supports immune system function and tissue repair.

With all these benefits, it’s no surprise that red light therapy is popping up everywhere these days. Enhance your next Therapeutic Massage with the addition of our LED light therapy add-on.

Haven't Tried Reflexology Yet?

You've heard all of the incredible benefits of Reflexology, but you've still yet to try it? 

Take advantage of our exclusive *new client* offer going on now and available for a limited time.

Reflexology is a deeply relaxing and therapeutic modality that helps reduce stress and promote balance in the body by working the nerve endings on the bottom of your feet. 

Often referred to as an 'internal massage', Reflexology stimulates different organs, glands, and musculoskeletal systems.

Activating the vagus nerve throughout the session, a Reflexology session brings us back into a state of deep relaxation, where all healing takes place. 

Sounds too good to be true? Try it for yourself - we know you'll LOVE it. 

While one session of Reflexology will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed, we've designed a series of 3 sessions for new clients to experience the cumulative effects of regular sessions. Book your first session before this promo goes away!

New Client Reflexology Series:

3 (75) Minute Sessions = $405 ($30 savings)

3 (90) Minute Sessions = $465 ($30 savings)

The Year of the Snake

This Lunar New Year we welcome the energy of the Yin Wood Snake!

Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the year, falling on January 29th, and the celebrations continue for several days, culminating in the arrival of the Snake's energy on February 3rd, 2025. The Snake, the sixth earthly branch, symbolizes creativity, awakening consciousness, and transformation.

As we reflect on 2024, we hope it has been a year of growth, allowing us to release old beliefs that no longer serve us. As we move into 2025, we step in with young adult energy, bursting with life and overflowing with ideas. The Snake encourages us to expand our intellect and "shed our skin," creating space for growth and renewal. With this energy, patience becomes effortless as we focus on achieving our goals and realizing our potential.

This year is ripe with energy, making it essential to integrate our Qi and remain open to love. It’s a wonderful time to deepen your intuitive abilities, as the Snake is known for its sharp instincts, and this year aligns closely with connecting to the heavenly way.

The Snake’s fiery nature may bring moments of intense desire and a hunger for more. To stay grounded, focus on finding balance and cultivating joy, steering clear of the temptation to chase constant excitement.

Some activities to bring auspicious energy into your life this year include:

• Cleaning your home

• Opening the windows to allow fresh air to enter

• Using smoke (sage or palo Santo) to clear the energy

• Buying new clothes

• Wearing red

• Consuming sweet nourishing foods surrounded by people that lift your Qi

Each year brings a mix of auspicious changes and challenging shifts that can impact individuals differently. In Chinese astrology, the Monkey is considered a friend of the Snake. To harmonize with this year's energy, you might consider wearing a Monkey amulet, placing a Monkey statue in your home, or even fostering connections with someone born in the Year of the Monkey. How fortunate for you to have a Monkey for an acupuncturist!

One ceremony that is simple, but so important for opening the heart and allowing the new energy of the year flow through you is a cacao ceremony. Essentially this is very, very good quality hot chocolate, and while it is best to use ceremonial cacao, regular cacao will suffice in opening your heart, filling it with warmth and love. Be sure to check out the cacao powder we have available in our wellness shop—perfect for creating your own heart-opening experience!

For more information on the Lunar New Year please visit CT Holman’s more complete prediction for the Yin Wood Snake. 

https://mailchi.mp/redwoodspring/greensnake2025

Sending all of you love and light and wishing you an auspicious New Year! 

Christina McDonnell, Licensed Acupuncturist, MAOM