The Wisdom of Falling Leaves: What Autumn Can Teach Us About Letting Go

There's a moment each year when you step outside and something has shifted. The air is crisper, the light is lower and golden, and the hedgerows are heavy with blackberries. Summer's expansive energy is drawing in, and the leaves are starting to fall

Across cultures, this is the time we gather. Here in Devon, we mark it with harvest festivals, with churches, schools and village halls full of apples, marrows and loaves, and communities giving thanks for what the year has yielded. In China and across East Asia, the Mid-Autumn Festival on 25 September brings families together beneath the full moon to share food and celebrate the harvest. Different traditions, same instinct: as the year turns, we pause, gather in and give thanks.

But autumn asks something else of us too. Look at the trees. They don't cling to their leaves or apologise for losing them. They let go, and in doing so they conserve their energy for the winter ahead. There's real wisdom in that.

The Metal element: gathering in and letting go

In Chinese medicine, autumn belongs to the element of Metal. The autumn equinox on 23 September marks the turning point. Metal is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, our two great organs of taking in and letting go. The Lungs draw in fresh air, and the Large Intestine releases what we no longer need.

This is why harvest and letting go belong together. Gathering in what nourishes us and releasing what doesn't is the rhythm of the whole season.

Emotionally, Metal is linked with grief, nostalgia and the quiet sadness that can come as summer fades. Nothing is wrong with you if you feel it. It's part of the season, and it deserves acknowledgement rather than avoidance.

Ask yourself what you're ready to put down. It might be a habit, a worry, a cluttered cupboard or an old story about yourself. And ask what you want to keep hold of: the people, routines and pleasures that sustain you.

Why autumn can feel harder on the body

Chinese medicine associates the Lungs with the skin, the sinuses and what we call Wei Qi, our protective energy that guards the surface of the body. It's no coincidence that colds, coughs and sniffles tend to arrive as the weather turns.

Autumn also brings dryness, which can show up as a dry throat, dry skin, an irritating cough or sluggish digestion.

Here in Devon, we often get damp and dry in quick succession, which can catch the body off guard.

Simple ways to support yourself this season

Eat the harvest. If you've been given a bag of windfall apples or pears from a neighbour's tree, you're already holding some of the best Lung-moistening foods of the season. Pears, apples, honey, almonds, radishes, sweet potato, and warming soups and porridges are all traditionally used to nourish the Lungs. Lightly poached pear with a little honey is a classic. Go easy on cold, raw foods as the temperature drops.

Protect your neck and chest. In Chinese medicine, wind is considered a key way that pathogens enter the body, and the back of the neck is especially vulnerable. Keep a scarf handy, even on days that look mild.

Breathe deliberately. A few minutes of slow, deep breathing each day, especially outdoors, is a lovely way to work with the Lungs. Autumn is a great time for gentle qigong or a walk among the trees.

Rest a little more. As the days shorten, follow the light. Earlier nights and slower mornings help build reserves for winter.

Make space to let go. Try journaling, tidying, or simply talking things through with someone you trust. Grief and change need somewhere to go.

Gather with others. Harvest suppers, village events and time around a table are good medicine in themselves. Connection is one of the best ways to support both body and spirit as the nights draw in.

How treatment can help

Acupuncture, herbal medicine and bodywork can all be used to support the body through seasonal transitions. I often see people at this time of year for recurrent colds, sinus congestion, dry skin, digestive changes, tension in the shoulders and chest, or a general sense of feeling run down or emotionally heavy. Treatment is always tailored to the individual, and no two people's autumns look the same.

If you'd like to go into winter feeling stronger and more settled, autumn is an ideal time to book in for a check-up and a chat about what your body needs.

This article is for general interest and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you have a persistent cough, breathing difficulties or any symptoms that worry you, please see your GP.