Health and Wellbeing:

Build your Immune System and help your own body fight off infections. How do I do that?

According to Chinese medicine when our energy (Qi) is weak, it suggests the body is not functioning in some way.  How this manifests will depend on our constitution.   For some people, a specific organ may have become impaired or for other people, insufficient  Qi may manifest in lethargy or the Immune system becoming weak leaving us more susceptible to illness.

Working from home and spending long periods on the computer can result in shallow breathing, as our posture can become more distorted and the ability to draw in air to the lungs is impaired. Taking a break to exercise or taking a walk in the fresh air is an important source of Qi.  Our core beliefs and mental attitudes will also determine our Qi levels.

Many people are not working due to the pandemic and spirits are low at this time which can result in a sedentary lifestyle manifesting in weight gain often as a result of eating junk food for comfort. Healthy eating does not have to cost the earth and can be fun to prepare and comforting to eat.

Homemade soups provide something quick to lift the spirits on these long winter days including ingredients like chickpeas, lentils, sweet potato, or carrot.  Ingredients that provide a sustained source of Qi.

• • • Change of seasons 

      As the nights draw in and the days get longer and the need to stay warm and hibernate and conserve energy is upon us, it is common for people to feel melancholy even depressed around this time of year. Autumn is a time when the leaves fall from the trees and wither, grief resonates with this phase, as there is death, a letting go and preparation for new life as the leaves go back into the soil preparing for new life next year,  we also move inwards and prepare for the long winter months to come. 

      It is the time of year when medical practitioners see an increase in flu, colds, and coughs.  According to Chinese medicine, autumn is associated with the lungs and nose. The lungs are described as the tender organ as they are close to the surface of the body and are therefore particularly susceptible to invasion of external pathogens. 

      Long walks taking in the midday sun, eating warm foods especially root vegetables and ginger, ginger was the favorite food of Confusius as it helps to improve the circulation of blood and energy,improves the absorption of vitamin D repels colds, and lifts the spirit.   

      Snuggle up with a good book, favourite music and eat at home with friends and family and prepare for winter.