What Are The Metal Years?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, our life progresses and shifts in cycles. Women see shifts in their cyclical nature more than just monthly but in seven year cycles as well.

Understanding these cycles and what they mean for your current and future health are important.

The Metal Years 

As women, our full maturity and peak of bloom is 28-34 years old. Once we reach 35 years old, our body starts to shift gears from the Earth phase to the Metal phase. From reproductive focused energy toward the beginning of the next chapter of womanhood.

The Metal Years (from 35-49) is where the shift in our hormone production transitions. There are two big landmarks to be mindful of during these years of life.

• Age 35-41 - Our bodies begin to prepare for menopause. Our production of Blood and Qi begins to shift. This cycle of our life is about refinement. We can slow change  by adjusting our lifestyle to more mindful levels of activity and nourishment.

• Age 42-48 - In the continued preparation for menopause, this Metal time continues to push you toward detoxification of body and energy. It pushes you to examine wounds and traumas so you can move forward with grace. Considering what leaves you feeling overextended and what fills your cup with vitality are important to build lifestyle and routine around in this phase.

Why Are The Metal Years Important?

We have three golden opportunities in our lives to greatly influence our health lifelong - menstruation, postpartum and peri-menopause.

Between 35-41 we have a precious opportunity to affect our Jing (our Essence) as one of these big transitions begins into our post reproductive years.

Spending our energy in our 40s on detoxification helps to set up health and vitality for the crone phase of life.

Now, I say the word detoxification, and in our Western culture, extremes come to mind. I am not talking about going on juice cleanses or anything like that. 

This is about releasing what no longer serves you emotionally and physically. Excesses that are creating a road block for your body to live in harmony.

I tell my clients all the time that Traditional Chinese Medicine is a marathon - not a sprint. There is not an “Amazon Prime” speed fix for what has taken years to accumulate dis-ease in the body.

That said, this phase of life is the perfect opportunity to take the time and really focus on what you need to live a more ease-filled life. Using this window as an opportunity to heal will make the years that follow healthier in every way.

How Do I Clear Excess?

Leaning into your body’s wisdom is critical during this process. Your body is brilliant. It knows exactly what it needs. You just need to listen to it.

Honoring your desire for:

• Freedom of movement and overall flow

• Nourishment

• Expression of emotions 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these elements.

Movement

Get your Qi flowing! Gentle movement is the key to longevity.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend an hour kickboxing at the gym. Aggressive types of exercise or activity can actually aggravate “stuckness” in your body. Limit intense workouts to 15-20 minutes at a time.

Choose exercise that circulates but also builds strong muscles and bones. Weight training is a great activity for women to incorporate into their routine in this phase of life.

Whatever activity you choose, do not workout to the point of exhaustion. Your body will see this as a stressor. Leave your movement practice feeling energized.

Start incorporating a gentle form of daily exercise like walking, tai chi, yoga or qigong. These practices transform stress into vitality while being easy on the bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles.

Nourishment

As with everything in this life phase, nothing is done to an extreme. For example, extreme dieting in this phase of life will send a stress signal to the body. 

Instead, incorporating naturally detoxifying foods into your daily routine will gently support your body’s release of excess without sending an SOS in your system.

Detoxifying foods (include but are not limited to)

• Seaweed

• Daikon Radish

• Green Tea

• Mung Beans

• Adzuki Beans

• Job’s Tears

Gentle detoxification is also done with regular bowel movements. Abdominal massage and herbal supplements like Triphala are helpful for gentle elimination regulation.

Emotional Expression

Anger can rise strongly during this time as the Liver becomes the prominent organ so give yourself space to express yourself for emotional wellbeing.

Journal, find your voice and express your frustration - whatever medium feels in alignment for you, get it out! Bottling your emotions will show up as physical ailments over time and will only get worse with the changes taking place during this cycle of life.