October brings us into the next phase of the Metal season, with a greater focus on the lungs, breath and letting go. Temperatures are beginning to change, daylight is gradually decreasing, and fall is becoming more noticeable around us.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs belong to the Metal element and are traditionally connected with grief and acceptance. This makes October a natural time to look more closely at these relationships. It is also an opportunity to pay attention to something we do every moment of every day: breathe.
The Lungs & the Breath
Within the Metal element, the lungs represent more than the physical act of breathing. Traditional Chinese Medicine connects them with the continuous exchange between taking in and letting go. With every breath, we receive oxygen and release carbon dioxide. We cannot continue taking in without also being able to release.
This physical process reflects one of the larger themes of Metal. Throughout life, we continually take in new experiences, relationships, information and opportunities. At the same time, we need the ability to release what has completed its purpose or no longer serves us.
Breathing remains an important part of lung health, of course. Our breath responds to movement, rest, stress and emotion. Becoming more aware of it can give us useful information about what is happening in the body. The exhale also provides a fitting physical connection to the Metal theme of letting go.
Movement That Supports Breathing
Supporting the lungs is not only about breathing exercises. Movement matters too.
Walking, cardiovascular exercise and other activities that increase the heart and breathing rate challenge the respiratory system in a healthy way. Regular movement helps the body become more efficient at using oxygen while supporting cardiovascular fitness and overall health.
Posture and mobility deserve attention as well. Hours spent sitting, driving or looking down at a phone or computer can leave the shoulders rounded and the upper body tight. Movement through the shoulders, upper back and rib cage can help maintain the mobility needed for comfortable breathing.
Fall is a wonderful time for outdoor movement as temperatures become more comfortable. A brisk walk gives us cardiovascular exercise, fresh air and an opportunity to become more aware of the breath at the same time.
The goal is not to replace strength training or other forms of exercise with gentle movement. A well-rounded routine still matters. October simply gives us a reason to bring a little more attention to how we breathe while we move.
Breath & the Nervous System
Breathing has an interesting relationship with the nervous system because it happens automatically, yet we can also consciously change it.
Stress can alter the breath. At the same time, intentionally slowing our breathing can send different signals through the nervous system. A slower, comfortable breath with a relaxed exhale can help the body shift away from a heightened stress response and toward a calmer state.
This does not mean we need to spend long periods doing breathwork. A few intentional breaths can become part of everyday life. We can use them before a meal, after a stressful conversation, while sitting outside or before going to sleep.
The breath is always with us. Sometimes we just need to notice it.
Grief, Acceptance & Letting Go
Traditional Chinese Medicine connects the lungs and Metal with grief and acceptance. Within this philosophy, emotional and physical health are not viewed as completely separate. What affects us emotionally can eventually influence the body, just as changes in physical health can affect how we feel emotionally.
This does not mean that every person experiencing grief will develop a lung concern, or that every lung concern has an emotional cause. It means we consider both sides when looking at the whole person rather than automatically separating physical and emotional patterns.
Grief can take many forms. We can grieve the loss of someone we love, but we can also grieve a relationship, our health, an opportunity or a role we once had. We can even grieve a chapter of life that has ended.
Not everything needs to be immediately fixed or released. Some experiences need time to be understood and processed. Letting go is not about pretending something did not matter. It can begin with acknowledging what happened and recognizing how it affected us. From there, we can begin accepting that we do not need to carry it in exactly the same way forever.
Creating More Breathing Room
Letting go can be emotional, but it can also be practical.
A schedule that has become too full, commitments that no longer make sense, clutter or constant notifications can all take up space and energy. So can habits that leave us feeling rushed from one thing to the next.
October can be a good time to notice where life feels unnecessarily crowded. Creating breathing room does not require clearing the calendar or changing everything at once. It might mean protecting a quiet evening, saying no to something that is no longer important or spending less time on a screen. It can also mean allowing yourself to finish one thing before beginning another.
These small changes can create space for rest, reflection and a steadier daily rhythm.
Moving Through October
October takes us through the beginning and middle of the Metal season. September introduced the transition into fall, while October brings greater attention to the lungs, breath and letting go. We are not yet in the deeper slowing of November, but the changes in daylight, temperature and daily rhythms are becoming more noticeable.
This makes October a good time to continue supporting the foundations: quality food, hydration, sleep, strength, cardiovascular exercise, mobility and time outdoors. At the same time, we can pay greater attention to our breath, create more room for rest and begin adjusting our routines as the season changes.
The lungs, breath and the traditional theme of letting go give us another way to think about this transition. We can notice what we are taking in, what we are holding onto and what we are ready to release.
Sometimes creating more space begins with something as simple as taking a full breath and allowing ourselves to exhale.
The seasonal, organ and emotional relationships described in this article are traditional concepts from Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are not intended to replace medical care.
Learn more about the Metal Element here
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