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meals at a regular time every day, chew staying balanced in stressful situations.
thoroughly to ensure food is broken Imbalance can cause: low back pain,
down and absorbed efficiently, prioritize bladder infection, urinary difficulties,
emotional balance, practice moderate night sweats, ringing in ears, weak bones,
exercise such as walking and yoga and fear, insecurity, secretive.
make sure to rest when possible.
Dietary and lifestyle guidance: incorporate
Metal is the time of “letting go” as seen black foods like black beans, black sesame
in nature when growth subsides and seeds, blackberries, and seaweed, have salty
turns inward. The lungs rule all aspects foods in moderation, stay hydrated for
of breathing and is in charge of defensive kidney function, in the winter season have
qi (exterior qi that guards against illness). warm and nourishing foods like bone broth,
The large intestine excretes wastes from stews and roasted root vegetables, get plenty
the body received by the small intestine, of rest and quality sleep and find emotional
absorbs water and can have difficulty balance in journaling, mediation, yoga.
releasing emotions or resistance to
change. Imbalance can cause: asthma, Do you see the pattern? By incorporating
chronic cough, dry skin, weak voice, the right foods and lifestyle adjustments
distant, disconnected, reserved. into your daily routine, it can help
promote your overall well-being and
Dietary and lifestyle guidance: eat pungent vitality. For some, an intervention is
foods like onions, garlic, ginger, radishes and needed whether it be western or eastern
spicy peppers, drink plenty of water to keep medicine therefore, it is suggested to
the organs hydrated, breathing techniques contact a health care professional if you
can help strengthen the lungs, process grief have any underlying health concerns.
in a healthy way such as talk therapy or
a support group, make sure to consume Interaction of the Elements
enough fiber for daily bowel movements,
exercise and sleep is always important. In the diagram, you will see solid and
dash lines between each element. Solid
Water symbolizes a time of connecting lines represent the generating cycle
with the source of life; storing our (Sheng) and dash lines represent the
natural resources and slowing down. controlling cycle (Ko). In the sheng
The kidneys are responsible for growth, sequence, the phases nourish each other
development and reproduction. The so they can grow and thrive. In the Ke
urinary bladder stores and excretes sequence there is restraint between the
urine; mentally is associated with phases so they do not become excessive.
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