Strengthen from within
It seems there is one thing on the mind of almost everyone across the globe right now - Coronavirus.
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and include a fever, dry cough, headache, fatigue, and shortness of breath. From a western medicine understanding, there is no cure, and treatment is focussed on supporting those with severe respiratory symptoms. This is where Chinese Medicine can excel. While it is likely that the majority of the population will contract the disease (quarantining will merely lessen and prolong the curve of the disease in order to minimise pressure on healthcare systems, not stop individuals contracting it).
Unfortunately, headline news tends to focus solely on the detrimental effects of the pandemic on life and society. While this is important, so much negative information can create fear, panic and a sense of helplessness within the general public. In fact, there is a lot we can do to support ourselves, physically and emotionally during this time.
Time to stop
Modern life is demanding, on both the individual and the environment. The pace of life has reached unprecedented momentum and we are already seeng a sick society- individuals with inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, chronic stress, anxiety, insomnia, burnout. Couples are finding it harder to conceive, girls are reaching puberty many years earlier than previous generations, and women are experiencing far more gynecological disorders than ever seen previously. The planet is creaking under the strain of an exploding population of mass consumers and a heavily globalised and industrialised society.
Whether we like it or not, this virus has invited us to stop. We’re being invited to go inwards, to reconnect to ourselves and what is important to us. Now is a time to be still, to reflect on who we are, who we have become, and how we interact with this planet we call our home.
“Who looks outside dreams;
who looks inside awakes.”
- Carl Jung
This virus has also invited us to reconnect with people in new ways, and to care - for family, friends, neighbours, strangers. It has highlighted the enormous and important work of those who are putting their lives on the line to help others. Every day we are seeing small and large acts of love and heroic kindness.
It is a difficult time for many of us, of that there is no doubt. However if we re-frame our perspective on our current situation, whatever it might be, we can turn it into an opportunity for enormous personal growth.
Simple steps to support your immune system
Wei Qi (defensive Qi) is the body’s immune system. Our capability to fight off infection and disease depends on a strong Wei Qi function. There are two foundations of Wei Qi in the body: Kidney Yang and Stomach fluids. There are many ways we can support both of these functions in order to ensure they are working optimally.
Strengthen Kidney Yang
Kidney Yang is the moving, warming energy of the body, translating as adrenaline in Western medicine (although it encompasses much more than this).
Go to bed before 10pm (allowing the channels to relax in order allow Wei Qi to move)
Sleep as deeply as you can in order to strengthen the Kidneys
Avoid electronics in the bedroom, as these disrupt sleep
Install blackout blinds
Avoid cold, raw, and sticky foods (such as dairy, sugar and gluten). These require more Kidney Yang to break down and digest
Create daily calm: meditate daily, spend time in nature and limit screen time
Avoid artificially stimulating or summoning Kidney Yang with coffee, chocolate, sugar, alcohol artificial colours and flavours, excessive garlic, onions and spices
Hydrate stomach fluids
Stomach fluids are essentially the moistness of the stomach and gut, our ability to break down and absorb nutrients from food.
Hydrate with wet-cooked foods, not water and juice
Eat wet breakfasts like congee and porridges
Eat soups, stews, casseroles, broths
Include saturated fat in the diet (eggs, butter, fish, animal fat)
Avoid dehydrators: coffee, chocolate, hot spices, garlic, onion, sugar, alcohol and fizzy drinks
Avoid inflammatory foods: GMO’s, pesticides and known allergens
Rest when digesting
Sleep early