TIPS TO LIVING LONG AND WELL
HOLISTIC HEALTHY LIVING BLOG
BY Rachelle Tetreault, L,Ac
Simplify your life with techniques and tips to extend your quality of life for both body and mind. Are you expending energy and time on a lifestyle that is not really satisfying or even that important? Your time, your energy, and your work should evoke some form of satisfaction and passion from within. Find some sacred time to think about your own personal goals, true expectations, past disappointments, and overall, where you are in life both spiritually and physically. Feel the type of energy that is created or even deflated with each of these findings. Here you will find your path. Living in each moment and reflecting on what we have to be grateful should be a daily constant not a rarity.
Enjoy all your senses – the aroma of homemade bread baking, the smell of cut grass, the feeling of a warm, bear hug from a loved one. There is much value in having long term goals for life but there is immediate value in truly living in each moment. Becoming more flexible in life choices and new ideas may help to avoid the rigidity of an unsatisfying life.
When discussing longevity and improving quality of life, it is imperative to know the importance of being proactive about your own health. By taking personal responsibility for your health goals and objectives is the vital ingredient for optimal health. Discuss with your practitioner about healthy aging and longevity.
The benefits of daily meditation and breathwork have been well studied and documented through various research. Tai chi has been implemented in research hospital oncology units to help reduce inflammatory cytokines specifically in cancer patients. This is due to the mind-body connection combined with synergistic breathing and intentional flowing body movements. Like the ebbs and flows of the ocean tide, the body and mind are to be in unity with a continuous flow of energy and harmony. This enables the immune system to regulate more fully. Some of the major benefits of meditation are lowering blood pressure, reducing chronic pain, lowering the risk of heart disease, and even enhancing focus and mental clarity.
Eastern Medicine came about at a time when people were living in more alignment with nature. There are six healing sounds which correspond to each of our major organs. Each of our major organs relate to 5 of the natural elements of nature including wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Research has also shown that certain sound waves help stimulate specific body functions and some even induce relaxation throughout the body. These six healing sounds are meant to use in conjunction with qi gong poses to help detoxify and strengthen each organ.
Each organ has its own sound vibrations which help release excess emotions from the tissue and organs of the body. For example, with the liver which can harbor the emotion anger, you utter the sound “shoo” on exhalation for 6 breaths while envisioning that organ with its related color upon inhalation. This would be the color green for the liver. The heart color is red and the sound is “ha”. The stomach or spleen color is yellow with the sound “hoo”. The kidneys relate to dark blue and the sound is “foo”. The gall bladder is “shee” and like the liver is green due to they are luo-connecting organs. The lung sound is “sss” and the color is white.
Certain emotions relate to a specific organ and without proper release can eventually manifest in to a pathogen creating disharmony or disease. Emotions have an effect on our internal organs. The mind-body connection is very real and one affects the other on many levels including physical manifestation of disease.
Proper regulation of the immune system can help ward off degenerative illness, infections, and cancer. Acupuncture has shown its proficiency in decreasing inflammatory cytokines. One of the major powerful points can also be stimulated by proper acu-pressure. This point is called zu san li. It is located about four finger-widths below the outer indentation of the knee, one finger away from shin bone. Applying daily pressure at this acu-point while using moxa oil or mugwort herbal therapy ignites the benefits of this time proven therapy which is being used in much oncology research.
The practice of wu wei is both a concept and practice brought on by the wisdom of Lao Tzu, a renowned Chinese sage. Wu wei translates to effortless being. This practice is used to not expend exhaustive energy or force but rather be adaptive and natural. The benefits show increased health, flow of energy, overall joy, and longevity. This practice is used by not allowing emotions to control your actions or personal being but rather finding common ground and not trying to control outcomes or break down stone walls when a window may be within reach. Let emotions settle and be disciplined in respect and harmony with others.
Lastly, if nothing else, practice rhythmic, deep, and slow diaphragmatic breathing exercises each day. This not only plays a part in releasing environmental toxins from our cells but has many other benefits. These benefits include improving our energy, focus, enhancing our complexion, and promoting a happier mood. These can be combined with qi gong, tai chi, yoga, meditation, and much more.
Call today to start your journey to optimal health: 772-353-1397.
