Consciousness of Healthy Aging
A guide to natural healing for those of all ages
At every moment of our life, we are aging. From the moment of birth, the process begins as we change and grow physically and spiritually. Therefore, the conversation of healthy aging is one that pertains to those of all ages.
Some equate aging well to appearing youthful on the outside, while others truly understand that aging naturally and healthily is rooted within. While it is a normal process to age, it is not normal or necessary for this beautiful process to be coupled with disease.
Here are three points rooted in TCM philosophy that serve as a guide to prevent disease:
1) Become conscious of imbalances that can manifest on any of the three levels- physical, mental, spiritual and Nurture your vulnerabilities.
It is important to understand that illnesses experienced in childhood or early adulthood can resurface later in life if not fully resolved or if there is residual weakness in the organ associated. In this way, it is of utmost importance that we prepare ourself for old age by paying extra care to our vulnerabilities.
For example: A young boy has asthma coupled with frequent colds as a toddler. The boy must be careful to strengthen his lungs as he ages and must exercise caution in his diet to prevent lung related disease throughout adulthood.
The young boy who played sports throughout childhood, ate a well rounded diet and maintained healthy cardiovascular activity with no smoking or overindulging in metabolism slowing foods is an example of stepping ahead of illness as he ages.
The same young boy who in early adulthood took up the habit of smoking and had a liberal American diet, must now preceding elder hood take extra care of his lungs through the means of breathing exercises, appropriate diet and perhaps herbal medicine as a preferred solution.
2. Follow Chinese Medicine philosophy to balance : Yin & Yang, Qi and Blood and the Function of your Organs
Balancing yin and yang is knowing the difference between outward, external, high performance periods, energetic engagement VS. inward, restful , peaceful, nurturing and quiet time.
When a human being is in touch with the natural flow of their life and decides to be truly present in what is occurring in their physical and emotional body, they can create awareness of yin and yang qualities.
An example of this is knowing one’s personal limit, when to rest but also when to act and put forth energy in an efficient manner. To balance yin and yang is to have a healthy work/home balance, and monitor the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Balancing Qi and blood consists of feeding oneself a proper diet and supplementing any nutrients that may be lacking from time to time. Overall, it is essential to understand how our body responds to the food we eat and to make necessary adjustments to our diet based on this feedback.
It is also important to keep healthy energy or Qi circulation in the body through regular exercise that is balanced in yin/yang. For example, one may engage in yang exercise such as running and lifting weights but learn to balance this activity with softer, mind body connective exercise such as yoga or Qi gong.
In general, taking inventory of the way our muscles, joints and bones feel each day is significant in preventing orthopedic illness.
Being mindful of organ function is something that you can learn yourself and/or with the guidance of your physician. Each organ not only possesses a physical aspect of functionality but plays a spiritual role in our unique bio-system.
The spirits of the five main organs are as follow: Kidney relates to willpower and life force. Liver Relates to our direction in life. Spleen directs our intellect. Our heart houses our spirit and consciousness. Our lungs represent the filter of that which we allow in and releases that which we no longer need.
When desiring to reverse signs of aging on the face and body, we must remember that the effect of balancing yin and yang, Qi and blood and monitoring the function of the organs shows up in the quality of our skin texture, tone, elasticity, and complexion.
With intention and with compassion for ourselves, we can reverse the signs of aging.
3. Remain conscious of the sway of your emotions
Maintaining a balanced and harmonious emotional life allows our natural energy to flow. Stagnation occurs in the being when there is emotional dis-regulation. Experiencing an extreme of any emotion depletes the internal energy and diverts one from true personal and spiritual growth. Having a healthy relationship with oneself while maintaining emotional stability is essential in creating a safe and balanced life. Lack of control of the emotions coupled with a lack of control in one’s sexual life is harmful to one’s essence and willpower.
Overthinking, worrying and obsessiveness depletes the body’s natural energy and can lead to illness of the gastrointestinal tract due to the inability to properly digest life.
Having a healthy response to the emotions that arise and finding ways to help emotions move through your being prevents stagnation that can lead to illness.
Taking pleasure in the life’s various challenges and victories while observing your own growth creates a natural zest for life and strengthens the spirit.
Embracing and enjoying that which we are passionate about allows us to experience joy no matter how old we are.
Maintaining a suppleness and a flexibility in our attitude creates a supple and flexible physical body while keeping ease in our feelings toward ourself and others prevents dis-ease in our being.
Want to learn more about how to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits that are suitable for your unique constitution ?
Call (818) 860-1314 to schedule a consultation with Jenna Vitale Dipl.OM. at our office in Toluca Lake, CA or via Zoom.
