Jason Elias, my acupunturist and herbal medicine expert
Today’s guest blog is by my friend and Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist, Jason Elias. He’s written two of my favorite books on health, Chinese Medicine for Maximum Immunity and Feminine Healing: A Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Body, Mind and Spirit. Jason’s website is FiveElementHealing, I encourage you to check it out! He has the following words of wisdom to share with you:
When Susan asked me for a single tip to maintain optimal health during the holiday season, to my surprise I blurted out “move”. There are so many things nutritionally and using herbal allies, but in truth movement sums it up.
In traditional Chinese medicine all health is about maintaining movement in our lives on every level; physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. Health is defined as movement, and just like water, a moving stream is healthy and the water is drinkable; whereas if the flow is blocked, the water becomes stagnant and dis-ease results.
Physically this means keeping the flow of energy and blood feeding your muscles and tendons, bringing nourishment to these areas and eliminating toxic sludge. This also applies to all the major organ systems of the body, promoting general health and effectively eliminating toxins.
When water encounters a blockage, a log or stone, it finds the path of least resistance and finds a new way to go around the obstacle thus maintaining flow and health. Likewise when our plans get blocked or our emotional energies feel stuck, ion depression, or chronic anxiety; remember that there is another option. When a door closes, instead of continually staring at the door and expecting a different result, it would serve us to look around and determine other doors which may give us a new perspective.
Here’s 4 ways to keep your body, mind and spirit flowing during this season:
1. Walk every day, take the stairs instead of the elevator
2. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily, it helps the liver and kidney to detox
3. Find a form of meditation or relaxation that appeals to you
4. Most importantly, have fun
