Harmonious Constitution
The Harmonious Constitution refers to a state where Yin and Yang are balanced, the functions of the organs and blood are normal, and the individual has good innate endowment and proper postnatal nourishment. Such individuals have strong adaptability to seasonal changes and environmental conditions, and they experience fewer illnesses. The main characteristics of this constitution include a moderate physique, rosy complexion, abundant energy, and robust organ function. The health preservation principles for individuals with this constitution are to maintain good lifestyle habits, achieve balance, and cultivate harmony.
01
Balanced Diet and Harmonious Flavors
The first principle of dietary health preservation is dietary balance, which requires food diversity. Based on a balanced diet, individuals with a Harmonious Constitution should strive for harmonious flavors, avoiding picky eating, and selecting appropriate foods according to the different seasons. Each flavor corresponds to a specific organ, and to maintain the balance of Yin and Yang, sufficient Qi and blood, and coordination of the organs, it is essential to consume all five flavors in moderation. Long-term preference for one or a few flavors can lead to organ dysfunction.
The climatic characteristics of spring warmth, summer heat, autumn coolness, and winter cold will affect the internal balance of Yin and Yang, organ activity, and the flow of Qi and blood. Individuals with a Harmonious Constitution should follow the principle of adapting to the seasons and develop different methods for seasonal nourishment, known as the “Four Seasonal Nourishment” method. Spring is suitable for ascending nourishment, summer for cooling nourishment, late summer for light nourishment, autumn for balanced nourishment, and winter for warming nourishment.
02
Peace of Mind and Open-Mindedness
Individuals with a Harmonious Constitution have a positive and optimistic mental state, abundant energy, which benefits from sufficient organ Qi and blood and the harmony of Yin and Yang. According to TCM theory, emotions such as joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, and shock correspond to specific organs. Anger harms the liver, overthinking harms the spleen, sadness harms the lungs, joy harms the heart, and fear harms the kidneys. Highly sensitive individuals who frequently experience intense emotions can harm their organs, leading to dysfunction over time, resulting in conditions such as tumors, high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis. Achieving a state of not being angry when faced with anger, not being sad when faced with sadness, not being fearful when faced with fear, and not being shocked when faced with shock, and avoiding unnecessary worries is an ideal state that requires long-term effort. This should be gradually cultivated according to the personality characteristics of different age periods. TCM health preservation focuses on both physical and mental well-being, with mental cultivation taking precedence. If the mind is not well-regulated, the organs cannot find peace, so many people spend a lot of time exercising but neglect their character development, rendering all efforts futile.
03
Regular Lifestyle and Adapting to Nature
Health preservation should be adjusted according to the seasonal changes of Yin and Yang. Daily routines should align with the climatic characteristics of the four seasons, ensuring adequate sleep. The timing of daily activities should vary according to the Yin and Yang relationship of the seasons. “Nourishing Yang in spring and summer” suggests going to bed early and rising early in spring, and going to bed late and rising early in summer due to longer days and shorter nights, with appropriate afternoon naps. “Nourishing Yin in autumn and winter” suggests going to bed early and rising early in autumn, and going to bed early and rising late in winter. Only by aligning sleep patterns with the seasons can the body’s biological clock synchronize with the natural rhythms of the four seasons and day and night, which is beneficial for health.
04 Exercise and Consistency
Long-term adherence to physical exercise can regulate Qi, enhance physical fitness, and promote emotional well-being. It is recommended to engage in aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, skating, swimming, cycling, practicing Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics), dancing, and rhythmic exercises. These activities not only effectively help to burn body fat but are also simple and easy to perform. Each exercise session should last at least 1 hour, 3 to 5 times a week. This type of exercise allows for sufficient oxygen to metabolize sugars in the body, helps burn body fat, enhances and improves cardiopulmonary function, prevents osteoporosis, and regulates psychological and mental states, making it a primary mode of fitness.
Author Biography
Yang Yanfeng, Deputy Director of the Rehabilitation Center, graduated from Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is a member of the 3rd and 4th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Zhoukou City, an executive director of the Zhoukou Rehabilitation Medicine Association, chairman of the Pain Rehabilitation Branch of the Zhoukou Rehabilitation Medicine Association, vice chairman of the Community (Grassroots) Rehabilitation Branch of the Zhoukou Rehabilitation Medicine Association, and an executive member of the Acupuncture, Tuina, and Rehabilitation Committee of Zhoukou City. He is also a member of the Rehabilitation Committee of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Bone Diseases in Henan Province. He was awarded the title of Advanced Individual in Aid to Xinjiang in 2014 and has received multiple honors as an “Advanced Worker” and “Outstanding Physician.”
Specializes in: Utilizing specialized TCM therapies such as small needle knife, blade needle, and acupoint injection to treat painful diseases, including shoulder periarthritis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis, hip joint synovitis, knee joint synovitis, and sports injuries.
(Image source from the internet)
Editor: Yang Chenxi
Chief Editor: Li Qianping
Reviewer: Sun Jun
