We all try our best to manage our health and stress levels in general and especially during these times. The pandemic has added an element to an already challenging lifestyle for most, and getting or staying healthy is key. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to take the first steps or in some cases, continue with a program that is realistic and sustainable. There is so much information available nowadays, some of it useful and some of it less so. It  can be difficult to decide what is going to be right for you, what is going to be something you can really stick to. A good diet, habits and lifestyle are all part of what makes us healthy. These are all important factors in helping us fight and prevent disease and keep us feeling good, both mentally and physically.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, balance is the the most important element to health. The balance and harmony of the physical, emotional and mental systems addresses total health. This balance is something that is constantly changing due to external factors such as disease, life circumstances and  weather, as well as internal factors,  which may be your reaction to these things. Because of this there is no one remedy to staying healthy. There is no one pill, supplement, exercise or diet that will be the sole answer to staying healthy. But there is a way to obtain and maintain your optimum health and this is by way of diet, exercise and habits. By practicing these consistently and over a long period of time it will become a part of your life. 

Moderation. This might sound very boring but it’s actually easier, more effective and less costly than many extreme and widely advertised diets, pills, supplements etc. A balanced approach to health by way of moderation is achieved by paying attention to the  diet, exercise and habits elements and considering how and when to modify them. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as many other traditions and cultures, the changing seasons will also be factors in our approach. With each season there is an appropriate way to eat, exercise and carry out our daily lives. If we alter these habits in accordance with the seasons, we can better achieve an optimum balance and energy level which is needed for a given time of year. 

In addition, we always have to consider the individual: what is your overall constitution? This will include any disease or dysfunction a person may have as well as their tendencies in general. 

To recap: Balance by way of moderation is the key to a foundation of health. This can be achieved by paying attention to diet, exercise and daily habits on a consistent basis. If this becomes a way of life, as opposed to a short term fix, it will alter your level of health overall, and stabilize your energy level. Easier said than done? Maybe, but the rewards are feeling better, having a quicker recovery time when you don’t feel well and having more to fight with when faced with disease. An appreciation of these changes will follow quickly, whether it is dietary changes, or habits such as sleep or exercise. Sometimes we really get a new outlook on things we previously thought we had an aversion to. 

Thanks for reading, please stay posted for follow ups, with more details on diet, lifestyle and disease according to the seasons and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Rebekah Rodger L.Ac

This blog is written by Rebekah Rodgers L.Ac, who is an acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner at Jade Integrated Health in Brunswick. She has a traditional Chinese medicine education and is also trained in trigger point acupuncture, certified in NADA Protocol (Auricular acupuncture for narcotic addiction, smoking cessation and PTSD treatment).