Happy spring!
The days are getting longer, flowers are beginning to blossom, animals are hopping out of hibernation, and, just like us, nature is ready to shake off the winter blues and bloom with a fresh start. We’ve reached the seasonal energetic turning point, moving from the deep, dark, inward energy of winter to the lighter, brighter, rising energy of spring. The world is waking up and everything around us is beginning to stretch, sprout, and stir with life.
And yet…just because spring is blooming outside doesn’t mean your body is ready to move at the same pace. Transitions take time. If your energy still feels slow or your emotions feel tender, that’s okay. Some seeds need a little more time beneath the surface.
The Wisdom of the Wood Element
In East Asian Medicine, spring is the season of the Wood element, which is all about growth, movement, creativity, and direction. The organ associated with the Wood element is the Liver. East Asian Medicine teaches that the Liver is not only a physical organ but an entire energetic system that ensures your energy and emotions can move freely, so you don’t feel stuck—physically or emotionally. When the Liver energy is flowing well, you feel clear, creative, and ready to grow. You can adapt to change, move forward with vision, and handle transitions with ease.
During this seasonal shift, it’s common for Liver energy to get stuck—a pattern known as Liver qi stagnation. This happens when energy wants to move but doesn’t have a clear path. The emotion connected to the Liver is anger and not just the big, loud kind, but also the quiet simmer of impatience, irritability, resentment, and the feeling of being on edge. In East Asian Medicine, anger is seen as a signal—not something to silence, but something to listen to. It can show up as frustration, tension, irritability, restlessness, or just a general feeling of being stuck. It doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It means something’s trying to move.
So if you’re feeling a little tense, moody or stuck, you’re not alone. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong—it just means your energy is ready to move but might not have a clear path just yet. The most supportive thing you can do right now is create space—for your emotions, your body, your breath, and your dreams. Just like nature, you’re allowed to take your time, stretch slowly, and bloom at your own pace this spring.
5 Ways to Support Yourself This Spring
As nature begins to bloom, so can you. Here are five simple ways to support your Liver, clear stuck energy, and move with the rising rhythm of the season:
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Clear the Clutter
Spring is the season of clearing out—inside and out. Whether it’s your closet, your calendar, or your thoughts, begin by letting go of what no longer aligns. The clearer the space, the easier your energy can rise and flow with the season.
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Move Your Body
Movement is essential in spring, but it doesn’t have to be intense. The Liver loves gentle, regular movement to keep energy flowing. Think walking, stretching, dancing, shaking, or light yoga—whatever feels good and gets qi moving without overexerting yourself.
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Eat With The Season
Spring flavors are light, fresh, and slightly sour. Think citrus, sprouts, leafy greens, and pickled veggies. These foods help the Liver move stuck energy and support your body’s natural cleansing process. Keep your meals warm and simple—the Liver thrives on ease.
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Embrace Your Emotions
This season can stir things up. Frustration, irritability, or emotional tension are signs that Liver energy is stuck. Allow space for these feelings whether it's through journaling, talking, crying, shaking it out, or simply sitting with what’s there. Emotions are meant to move.
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Press Liver 3
Liver 3 is a powerful acupressure point that can help get your energy moving when you feel stuck, tense, or irritable. You can find it on the top of your foot, in the space between your big toe and second toe. Start at the webbing and slide your finger about two finger-widths back toward your ankle—you’ll find a tender spot in a natural dip. Press gently by either holding steady pressure or making small circles away from the midline of the body to release stuck Liver qi. Breathe deeply for 1-2 minutes on each side.
Spring reminds us that energy returns, even after stillness. May you move at your own pace, clear what no longer serves you, and trust in what’s quietly beginning to grow.
Stay curious, be kind, and keep blooming!
Dr. Britt
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