In Chinese Medicine our family and our community is our Earth: the ground we stand on. It is our land, our territory, where our tribe lives and gives us a place called Home. It is where we find nurture, where we can feel loved and accepted. As children we need a safe place in which to grow and flourish. As parents providing this space, we need support from extended family, and/or the wider community. We also need loving times together.

How has the virus disrupted community life?

There has been no school for most children, and so no time to play with friends. There have been no conversations at the school gates, no contact with other children’s families. And no grandparents providing back up. Nor is there very much time in the day or evening when parents can just chill out together, reflect on the day, or quietly be with themselves. Working at home while homeschooling is a big ask.

So what have we lost?

The familiar shape and structure of the work/school day. Walking-to-school time with friends, and parents of friends. Checking in with teachers to see what’s working well/not working so well. Hanging out at lunch time, playing football in the playground.

The whole spectrum of after school clubs and sporting activities.

And what have we gained?

Time to plant seeds, to watch them grow and produce food for meals. Time to paint, draw, learn the guitar, cook, sew, knit, read, sing, watch films together. Time to explore and find a new rhythm and shape to the days. Maybe you have started the novel you have been waiting to write. 

What will we keep from this time?

We will have learnt to value the structure of the school day [instead of complaining about it]. We will have learnt to know ourselves as a family more intimately, and hopefully have more understanding for each person we share our home with. How can we carry these leanings with us as we move out of lockdown? If you'd like to talk further about this, get in touch, I'm really interested to hear your thoughts.

Lockdown this year has interrupted the usual context in which we experience moving into and through Springtime. Energetically, Spring is a powerful moment of awakening from the darkness, cold and inward quality of Winter.

During lockdown this year, we have so many constraints imposed on our lives, which have prevented us from physically and emotionally joining in with the awakening that Spring offers.

What is in the way?

We can’t go to join friends for coffee. Tennis, football, cricket games are cancelled. How much we can exercise is limited. Our diets are changed. We are drinking more alcohol. And stress and anxiety levels are much higher than usual. Some of us are mourning the death of friends or family. 

What have we lost?

As families we have not been able to celebrate Mothering Sunday, the Easter holiday, which is about Death and Rebirth, and this week the big events marking V.E. Day have been cancelled. What impact has all of this change had on our health?

How are we managing?

Children are out in the streets, drawing with chalks on pavements, and painting rainbows to show their support for the NHS. Without time at school have their creative instincts had more time to flourish? Spring is definitely a time for creativity.

Many of my clients have been cooking, crafting and painting too. This feeds the body, the mind and the spirits of those both doing and those just enjoying/being fed.

Connecting to Spring with Chinese medicine

Make the most of all of the greens which Spring offers...garlic leaves, dandelion leaves, kale, chard, spring greens themselves!

They help the body clear out the residual debris from a Winter of more Yin [slower, quieter] activity. The sun and warmth of this year’s season, has given us a chance to fill up with the more Yang energy of Spring.

Sit in the sun each day if you can, for at least 1/2 hour. And some gentle stretching can give you more flexibility, and may put a spring in your step. Follow the example of the trees, and extend your body more each day as you walk/run/cycle. And most of all, enjoy!