In the past few issues, I have discussed how to achieve balance between Yin and Yang through health preservation.
There is a classic saying in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – “Carefully observe the location of Yin and Yang and adjust them to achieve balance as the goal.”
This means finding the reasons for the imbalance of Yin and Yang in the body and addressing them specifically to achieve the health goal of balance.
01
One
What is Balance
The imbalance of Yin and Yang can be divided into pathological and physiological types.Pathological imbalance is simply understood as a person being ill; treating the illness restores health.Physiological imbalance refers to the characteristics of each person’s constitution, which may have tendencies towards excess or deficiency. Through adjustment, we can correct these tendencies to achieve a relatively healthy and joyful state of body and mind.
Here, I define “balance” as a long-term state of physical and mental joy, achieved through wise observation and a lifestyle that conforms to health preservation principles.
“Balance” means harmony and health; this definition implies a long-term state, lasting decades or even a lifetime, where one remains in a state of physical and mental joy, analyzed by our intellect to be scientifically sound and in accordance with health preservation principles. Such a state is balance. Short-term happiness does not count; for instance, playing mahjong can also bring temporary joy.
A healthy person gives us the impression that they look different from others; they do not appear sick, have a rosy complexion, exhibit refinement, and speak appropriately. Their mental state is also vibrant, and they are cheerful, not frowning or appearing sickly, constantly complaining. This rosy complexion, refinement, appropriate speech, and joyful state of body and mind represent health, which is balance.
02
Two
Elements of Health
The elements of health can be broadly categorized into two aspects: one is the living environment, and the other is ourselves.Our aspect can be further divided into physical and psychological components.
If both body and mind are healthy and in a good environment, then this is a healthy state. We aim to achieve and maintain this state.
03
Three
Living Environment
The realm outside of body and mind can be referred to as the environment, which for us primarily refers to the rhythm of work, life, and rest. Maintaining a reasonable rhythm is essential, and we should first place it within the framework of the environment.I will elaborate on work, life, and rest later; for now, just have this concept in mind.
For example, if you live in a very humid environment for a long time, such as by a lake or the sea, or on a damp ground floor, it is easy to imagine that your probability of developing rheumatism will be high. In the short term, it may not seem problematic, but over time, rheumatism may develop.
If you sleep on a very soft bed for a long time, it may feel comfortable at first, but anyone with some medical knowledge knows that such a bed is not suitable for long-term use. Sleeping on it for an extended period can cause serious damage to the spine. After a few months or years, you may experience back pain, and the curvature of the spine may change, leading to more severe issues in old age. Therefore, the choice of bed is crucial; avoid sleeping on overly soft beds or sofas.
If your living environment is a chemical zone with toxic fumes in the air and foul water in the nearby rivers, it is evident that your risk of developing tumors will increase. Prolonged exposure to such an environment will undoubtedly have adverse effects on health.
Thus, being in such an environment can be considered a condition detrimental to health, and we should strive to escape it.
Many office workers find themselves in a situation where they have no control over their circumstances.Living far away, they spend two hours commuting to work and another two hours returning home.Frequent business trips, going to Wuhan this month, Shenzhen next month, and then back to Northeast China a few days later, disrupt their sleep quality, making it even worse. Long-term poor sleep quality is certainly unhealthy.For them, the best health strategy would be to quickly change jobs and reduce frequent business trips.
There are also young people, around sixteen to twenty years old, who often stay up late, playing games or watching TV until two or three in the morning, then waking up late, around nine or ten, or even at noon. In the short term, this seems enjoyable as they engage in activities they love, but from a health preservation perspective, this routine is very unhealthy.
Long-term late nights can lead to blood deficiency and hormonal imbalances, as it does not align with the natural rhythms. Over time, their biological clock will be disrupted, and as they age, they may experience declining sleep quality and menstrual irregularities. Therefore, it is essential to correct this behavior from the start and avoid staying up late. A regular lifestyle is crucial, and we must adjust our external environment to a suitable living condition.
Where do we usually give health preservation lectures? They are often held in offices and corporate buildings, as white-collar workers tend to have lighter workloads and some savings, allowing them to pay attention to health. We hope that through communication and interaction, we can attract them to seek treatment here, achieving a win-win situation.
Would we go to a courier company to give health preservation lectures? It seems that has never happened. These individuals are busy making money and have no time to focus on health.
04
Four
Please read the following carefully
This passage is from the “Jin Gui Yao Lue” and summarizes the causes of our illnesses.
“If the five organs are functioning smoothly, the person is peaceful and harmonious. If external pathogenic winds invade, many people may die. There are thousands of diseases, but they can be categorized into three types: one is when the meridians are invaded by pathogens and enter the organs, causing internal issues; the second is when the limbs and orifices are blocked, causing issues from external skin; the third is when one is harmed by insects or beasts in the room. In detail, diseases arise from these causes. If a person can cultivate caution and not allow external winds to disturb the meridians, and if the meridians are not obstructed, then treatment can be applied. If the limbs feel heavy and stagnant, one should practice guiding and breathing techniques, acupuncture, and massage, ensuring that the orifices remain unblocked, and avoid violating natural laws or being harmed by beasts. One should not allow the room to become depleted, and food should be consumed in moderation regarding temperature and flavor, avoiding any harm to the body. Thus, diseases will have no way to enter the body. The “cavity” refers to the area where the three burners connect with the original essence, and the “principle” refers to the patterns of the skin and organs.”
That’s all for today; see you next time!
Dr. Jiang’s Night Talk: The True Use of An Gong Niu Huang Wan
Dr. Jiang’s Night Talk: What is a Stroke?
Jiang Hongjun, Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Associate Chief Physician. He has deeply studied TCM classics such as “Shang Han Lun” and the academic experiences of many renowned TCM practitioners from modern times, inheriting the essence of famous physicians, integrating clinical practice with ancient teachings, and focusing on practical effectiveness. He has years of clinical experience, blending various academic schools such as Shang Han and Wen Bing, adept at using warming, tonifying Qi, nourishing the kidneys, dispersing the lungs, and unblocking the meridians to treat various internal, gynecological, and pediatric diseases.
Scan the QR code below
Follow Ciyong to learn more
