Iwood Health – Spring Newsletter

Spring: The Season to step out, enjoy nature and prepare for the year ahead.

As the Season of Winter wanes, and the Spring energy rises, it reminds me of a saying inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine, “Spring moves upward and outward, lifting the spirit.” When we get one of those days, that just feels right, where the sun shines, the bees are buzzing and you can almost see the leaves breaking out of their buds. You really do feel uplifted and expanded.

“When spring is warm, flowers bloom. This brings hope and renewal, when the conditions are right, beauty naturally unfolds.”

Focusing on Spring with the Eye of an Acupuncturist

Spring is a time of awakening, growth, and renewal. As the earth reawakens, it’s the perfect season to nurture your body, mind, and spirit. Spring corresponds to the Element of Wood, associated with the Liver and the Gall Bladder in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This season is all about detoxification, planning, and fresh energy flow.

According to the 5 Elements, movement helps prevent Anger and Frustration, embrace the Sour Flavours, avoid the wind and cover the neck and shoulders, stretch and take Mindful walks to keep the energy (Qi) flowing smoothly. Eat light fresh meals, set intentions for growth, allowing the body and mind to awaken into the vibrant energy of Spring.

Tip: Small, daily adjustments—such as incorporating leafy greens, green teas, and mindful morning walks—can help your body align with the rising, outward-moving energy of Spring and support overall vitality.

Seasonal Challenge and Activities – From Katie

Spring is the perfect time to clear out clothes that aren’t serving you, and make room for ones that do. Remember, clothes are supposed to fit you, not the other way around! When looking through your wardrobe, each item of clothing should pass three rules: does it fit, does it make you feel good, and do you love it? If an item doesn’t pass all three, out it goes – give it to a friend, a charity shop, or sell it on Vinted. Lots of us hang onto clothes ‘in case’ we lose weight, but these clothes likely aren’t motivating you – they’re probably making you feel worse. Having a wardrobe filled with things we like, and that fit, helps us to feel more confident, happier, and gives us a stronger sense of identity.

Seasonal Nutrition – Turmeric Tahini Smoothie – From Hazel.

Great for bone health and giving you that vitamin boost which is so needed this time of year. These lovely colours can inspire you to think that spring is just round the corner.

1 cup water (or almond milk or coconut milk or cows milk)

2 cups greens (romaine, red/green leaf, chard, beet greens)

½ banana (frozen or fresh)

1 cup frozen fruit (mango, strawberry, blueberry)

1 tablespoon tahini (or almond butter)

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (optional)

Blend all ingredients together in blender and enjoy

“Hazel’s Mission is to help you feel confident and strong in your body again, specialising in digestion, metabolic health, and skin concerns giving you the knowledge and tools to take control of your health.”

Seasonal power of Spring – From John

Spring arrives like a gentle invitation to step outside and breathe more deeply. After months of grey skies, trees begin to bud, and blossoms open in soft shades of pink and white. Parks and trails come alive, offering a natural reset for body and mind.

Spending time in nature during spring can significantly support mental health. Sunlight helps regulate sleep and boost mood, while fresh air and movement reduce stress. Walking beneath blooming trees or noticing wildflowers encourages mindfulness and calm. The sounds of birds and rustling leaves create a peaceful escape from daily pressures.

Spring also symbolises renewal. Watching buds open reminds us that growth takes time and that new beginnings are possible. Even a short walk or a few quiet moments outdoors can lift the spirit. In spring, nature not only blossoms, it helps us do the same.

“The whole year’s plan depends on spring.
What we sow and prepare now shapes what follows.”

How one small question might change your habits this spring – From Louise

Have you noticed how a change in season often coincides with a renewed focus on what we want to change in ourselves? After what seems to have been a very long and rainy winter, a desire for change may feel even more urgent.

And yet, change can feel puzzlingly elusive. Why? Imagine the effort that nature puts into rest and transformation from winter to spring – whether it’s an emerging daffodil or a returning migratory bird and we can picture how resource-intense change can be.

As humans we are hard-wired for survival. We’ve inherited an inbuilt capacity for using energy and resources efficiently, and so our brains often favour what we know rather than focusing on the energy intense activity of change, which requires evaluation, problem-solving and action. So, how do we change our resistance to change?

Just as nature adapts to change slowly, so can we. Try noticing a habit: how you begin your day, how you respond to stress, what you do with your evenings and weekends or the pressure you feel to say yes. Then ask: ‘If this wasn’t a habit, would I choose to do it this way?’ If you find yourself saying no, then make one, small adjustment. Instead of bypassing the process of weighing up the costs and benefits, this question can bring it back into view.

This can help “change” feel more manageable rather than trying to fix everything at once to achieve the end goal. Imagine all the small steps nature takes to bring about transformation in spring, make one small adjustment at a time as you work towards change this season.

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If you have enjoyed reading this newsletter please feel free to share it with your family and friends so that they can enjoy good health this Winter.

In Friendship from your Iwood Health Therapists,

–Dan, Jackie, John, Hazel, Áine, Lisa, Katie and Louise –