Tips for Better Health According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
If you’re new to TCM, go back to some of my previous posts (here, here, and here) for the full debrief. But just as a recap, Chinese medicine focuses on treating disease by looking at the entire being - mind, body, and soul - and getting to the root of the issue. It's based on balance, harmony, and energy, and works to bring the body and mind back to optimal health.
A huge component of TCM is living in alignment with nature, which is why going back to basics is often the most effective. According to TCM, each organ system corresponds with a specific time throughout the 24-hour circadian cycle, so timing of everything is also critical to allow those systems to restore.
Again, the name of the game in TCM is balance - especially when it comes to nature and the elements. It’s said that an excess of cold makes the body more susceptible to pathogens and ultimately disease, so it’s important to keep both the inner and outer bodies warm as much as possible. It’s also said that the foods we eat contain specific amounts of qi, or energy, which is why a balanced diet is key. Mindfulness practices are also vital for boosting qi, which is why they should be incorporated on a daily basis for total mind, body, and soul alignment.
And from a medicinal standpoint, practices such as herbalism and acupuncture/acupressure should be utilized on a regular basis. The goal of these practices is to treat the mind, body, and soul to promote holistic balance. These treatments stimulate specific energy centers on the body that allow for better communication between neurotransmitters, hormones, and fascia to allow the body to heal itself. By engaging with these energy centers, qi is able to flow more freely throughout the body.
Now, onto the tips and the WHY behind each:
Rise early and get sun exposure as soon as possible: A huge component of TCM is to live in alignment with nature, which is why it’s best to wake up as close to sunrise as possible. Sunlight exposure also shuts off melatonin production and boosts Yang energy, which then boosts immunity, mood, hormone regulation, and more.
Go to sleep by 10pm: Sleep is the most critical time for the body to heal and repair. According to TCM, each organ system corresponds with a specific time throughout the 24-hour circadian cycle. 11pm-3am is the time of the liver and gallbladder, which are two major systems of detoxification, so it’s important allow them to restore for optimal health.
Cover your neck when it’s cold or windy outside: TCM is all about balance, especially with the elements. The neck is said to be more vulnerable to the elements, and an excess of cold and wind makes it more likely for pathogens to enter the body.
Keep your feet warm: The temperature of the feet often affects the temperature of the entire body. Again, an excess of cold makes the body more susceptible to pathogens and ultimately disease. The feet also hold multiple energy centers, or meridian points, so they must be kept warm to balance the flow of energy throughout the body.
Eat more warming, cooked foods: Keeping the body warm on the inside is just as important as keeping it warm on the outside. Foods that are raw and cold can be difficult to digest, and TCM emphasizes the importance of having a healthy digestive tract. Warm or room temperature liquids are also preferred to better help the body break down nutrients and boost metabolism.
Engage in daily movement: TCM believes that most pain is due to stagnation in the body, which is another reason why warming foods are necessary. Regular daily exercise is important to help boost energy flow, especially low impact, gentle, and mindful movement.
Eat seasonally: As mentioned before, living in harmony with the seasons is a main cornerstone in TCM. It’s said that the foods we eat contain specific amounts of qi, or energy, which is why a balanced diet is key. When we eat fresh, seasonal foods, we create better alignment in both body and mind.
Use fresh herbs in foods and drinks: Fresh herbs are not only the easiest way to spice up any meal, but also used for medicinal purposes in TCM. All herbs have different functions, so it’s important to experiment with using various ones to treat various symptoms. Anti-inflammatory herbs such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, peppermint, and more should be consumed often, either in food or as a tea.
Create a daily mindfulness practice: Whether this is breathwork, meditation, yoga, journaling, or more, finding time to practice mindfulness and gratitude on a daily basis is vital. These practices help boost qi in the body, which then creates better mind body balance.
Spend time in nature: As humans, we get our energy from the earth. It’s critical to spend time outside every single day to create better harmony within ourselves.
Incorporate acupuncture or acupressure regularly: The goal of these practices is to treat the mind, body, and soul to promote holistic balance. These treatments stimulate specific energy centers on the body that allow for better communication between neurotransmitters, hormones, and fascia to allow the body to heal itself. By engaging with these energy centers, qi is able to flow more freely throughout the body.
Let me know if you try any!