By Dr. Yvonne K. Scarlett, DACM, Dipl.OM, L.Ac,
Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Clinical Director, Red Lotus Wellness Center
Spring is a time of abundance, re-growth, re-birth, fertility, regeneration, and rejuvenation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views spring as the Wood Phase of the Five Elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood), a season bursting with activity, birth, and new growth. It’s evident in the plants, pollinating, flowering, with a plethora of shades of green in nature. TCM is lifestyle medicine with deep roots in the past which is still relevant to address today’s modern diseases and health concerns.
Mind: Feed the body to feed the mind. Truthfully we are what we eat. It’s not a one-size-fits-all nutritional lifestyle, in TCM. It’s adaptive, customized to help the individual experience optimal health through each season and phase of life.
Body: We’ve all heard the famous quote by Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.” TCM views the gut, aka the digestive systems, as the center for health and longevity. Eating a rainbow of whole foods each day will greatly help to maintain good health and keep disease at bay.
Soul: How do we Rejuvenate our soul? Here are a few suggestions that have served me well over the years.
- Breath Work. This practice not only benefits the soul, but the mind and body as well. A favorite of mine, which I teach to my patients, is “4-7-8” to manage panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, and to calm the mind. (This breath technique also helps to regulate digestion, and stimulate Vagal Tone.)
- Qi Gong. An ancient TCM practice which helps to cul- tivate the Qi (life-force, energy, spark of life . . .). A daily practice of ‘8-Piece Brocade,’ for about 15-minutes in the morning is a great way to start your day.
- Spiritual practice. Find what resonates with you, and feeds your soul. Whether it’s attending church, a synagogue, or other spiritual group which helps you to connect and recharge.
- Spending time every day in nature.
Let’s choose to rejuvenate, our Mind, Body, and Soul this season.
There’s no best time like NOW, to start.
Red Lotus Wellness Center / 2890 Pio Pico Dr., Ste 104 / Carlsbad, CA 92008 / 760-637-5069 / DrYKScarlett@gmail.com
