Important Midlife Lessons Learned From Trees

Holistic Healing Thought Leader: Carol Lee

I love trees, I find them restful, grounding, and inspiring.

You may be thinking what are trees to do with health and well-being apart from it feels good to hug one occasionally.

In traditional Chinese medicine and the Five Element philosophy, trees are a great metaphor for the spring-wood element and the gifts and qualities it brings to our bodies, minds, and spirits.

“When the time is right, let go of what you no longer need; let what you release nourish you”

6 Simple Reminders From Trees:

1. Grow our roots down first; we can only flourish when we are held securely.
2. Build our resilience like a strong, sturdy trunk; the challenging times help us to confidently bend and flex in the winds of change.
3. Be flexible – look after our tendons and ligaments, move every day, dance through life.
4. Branch out – experiment and find ways to express our unique beauty.
5. Allow our uniqueness to blossom without comparison or self-consciousness, we are all beautiful in our own way.
6. When the time is right, let go of what you no longer need; let what you release nourishes you.

As a season watcher, I always say ‘I see it in the trees but I feel it in my body’. What I mean by this is that whatever is happening with the trees is also happening within me. The energy of nature resonates with my energy within.

The Five Elements Philosophy:

This was the premise of the healing masters in ancient China who noticed that what happened in nature, through the seasons, also showed up in their patients. For example, they noticed that tendons and ligament strain were more common in Spring, as were eye conditions and gall bladder issues.

Through their observations, they were able to map out the whole year, thereby creating the Five Element philosophy. This beautiful, nature connecting way, of looking at health and wellbeing is the roots of my work, expressed through meridian work, Acupressure points and Kinesiology.

“I find it beautiful to travel the year through the lens of the Five Elements and trees in particular.”

I find it beautiful to travel the year through the lens of the Five Elements and trees in particular. Doing so helps me to look after myself, to reflect on my energy levels, to notice how my body feels. Perhaps some of these observations resonate with you too.

The Change In Seasons Changes Me:

Spring:

Tree energy is purposeful and rising, pushing buds out of bare beaches; fresh green leaves and beautiful blossom. My energy is the same creative, explosive, list-making, bouncing with new ideas. I want to get going on a new project.

Summer:

Tree energy is vast and mature, filling the canopy and blocking the light, leaves are dark green, chlorophyll dense, the fruits are setting. My energy is the same. I feel more languid than in the Spring. I want to spend hot days relaxing in the shade in my hammock with a book.

In Late Summer, fruits are plumping up, delicious apples, plums, and pears pull down the boughs, and time feels suspended. We are in harvest time. I feel the same, I want to wrap up projects, spend time celebrating my wins, and feeling grateful for the abundance in my life. I’m feeling blessed and content.

“My energy is the same, I can feel stripped back and bare.”

Fall/Autumn:

Leaves are turning beautiful shades as trees pull their energy inwards and downwards. The leaves are released with great splendor, and the growing season is over. They return to the earth to fertilize the soil for next years growth. I feel the same, as the nights draw in. I begin to draw inside myself. The shorter days bring comfort and a time to reflect on what is important to me. I want to clear and declutter.

Winter:

Tree energy is sleepy, hidden, internal, stark tree skeletons on the horizon. My energy is the same. I feel stripped back and bare. I want to be inside tucked up with a book or a film. During this season, I sleep longer. And, I’m dreaming more and find peace in the long nights.

“In our fast, concrete-filled, world it can be easy to feel disconnected and exhausted”

7 Step Energy Exercise To Reduce Stress:

1. Stand with your feet on the ground, feet apart so you are standing strong.
2. In your mind’s eye imagine you have roots growing down from your feet into the dark fertile soil.
3. Notice how strong your body feels when it is held firmly by deep, healthy roots.
4. Imagine the branches growing out from your shoulders and head, pushing upwards, reaching for the sky.
5. Now connect down into your roots and feel the sap rising up through the trunk, out into the branches and further out into your aura or energy field.
6. Let the energy flow down like nourishing rain all around you into the ground and back to you.
7. Repeat this several times and feel the continuous flow within you and let it fill your aura or energy field.

Fighting The Concrete World:

In our fast, concrete-filled, world it can be easy to feel disconnected and exhausted, swept along, barely noticing the seasons change. My solution, find a tree anywhere you can, in a park, on the sidewalk, lean your back against it, tune in, and notice what you feel.

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