Okay, many of us have heard of “Chi.” As a reminder, it’s the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things. Further, in traditional Chinese medicine the balance of negative and positive forms in the body is believed to be essential for good health.
And of course boosting our chi can be fun, as seen in one of my favorite images by artist Diane English, click here to visit her website to see additional whimsical, creative designs.
Before the holidays are fully “out of the gate” I’m looking at easy, everyday ways to stay healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. Here are my top 10 for each piece of the pie (no pun intended!) towards wholeness that we can start NOW.
Many of these tips are from the book The Care and Feeding of Your Chi: Feng Shui for Your Body
Physical
1) Standing up and stretching once per hour promotes the flow of chi in one’s body-Twist at the waist, bend over and try to touch your toes, shrug your shoulders, turn your neck from side to side and try a few knee bends.
2) Treating yourself to regular massages stimulates the flow of chi offering relief in muscle tension. Massages also restore healthy functioning of the digestive, respiratory and circulation systems. Plus it feels GREAT!
3) Massaging your feet by gently pressing and rubbing sore spots indicate energy blockages.
4) Relaxing your jaw by opening and closing your mouth a few times during the day relieves tightness and tension, thus promoting chi.
5) Enjoying a glass of red wine with dinner or your book group friends enhances our absorption of chi! (wahoo!)
6) Extra chi comes from a mere 20 minutes of exercise a day whether it’s walking, practicing yoga, dancing or enjoying the fresh outdoors.
7) Wearing a scarf to avoid cold drafts is a way to protect your healthy chi. Chinese medicine considers wind and cold to be draining of one’s chi and can lead to colds and flu.
8) Inhaling eucalyptus oil enhances the chi when we breathe in air.
9) Eating kelp helps regulate our metabolism, nervous system and burns calories!
10) Getting enough sleep promotes rejuvenation and healthy chi!
| Click on any of the chi-inspiring greeting cards below to see an enlarged version. | ||
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| www.erinsmithart.com | www.kbonnemaleslie.com | |
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| www.curlygirldesign.com | www.colleenattara.com | |
Emotional
1) Taking a 5-minute break several times a day refreshes mind, body and spirit.
2) Watch your body language as these movements also affect the health of our chi; Are we at peace with relaxed body language or are we feeling vulnerable or defensive with crossed arms?
3) Laughing promotes chi beautifully!
4) Creating calm and reduce nervousness and fears with self-administered acupressure | At the spot where your hand and wrist join and on the outside of the forearm, gently hold for about 30 seconds.
5) Hugging and celebrating relationships support each other’s energy fields and raises chi for each person.
6) Take extra Vitamin B complex to promote relaxation and relieve stress and mild depression.
7) Adding more Vitamin C to your diet reduces infections and enhances your healthy chi.
8) Taking a hot bath before bed time can ward off depression. Being cold seems to cause stagnant chi. A hot soak with some lavender essential oil loosens tense muscles and nourishes one’s chi.
9) Petting or playing with an animal greatly enhances our life energy.
10) PLAY promotes chi! Taking out some crayons and color and focusing on one thing at a time is more beneficial for us as multitasking reduces chi.
| Click on any of the chi-inspiring greeting cards below to see an enlarged version. | ||
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| www.stonehengedesigns.com | www.jstonecards.com | www.lorifayebock.com |
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| www.nouvellesimages.com | www.madisonparkgroup.com | www.izoar.com |
Spiritual
1) Focusing on the breath provides chi nourishment to each and every cell.
2) Being mindful in everyday choices impacts our chi as well-Do we want to create for ourselves stress and drama or peace and happiness.
3) Meditating and/or praying offers positive chi impacts, reducing blood pressure, stress and risks of cardiac disease, stroke and cancer.
4) Reading inspirational literature offers uplifting chi energy.
5) Giving yourself the gift of a daily 10 minute “silent retreat” is an opportunity to rest and reflect.
6) Lighting a candle gives us the opportunity to gaze and relax.
7) Listening to calm music offers wonderful opportunities to go deeper within ourselves and greatly enhances our chi.
8) Listening to one’s inner voice strengthens chi.
9) Practicing forgiveness also promotes healthy chi-hanging on to anger, disappointments and resentments simply depletes our chi.
10) Practicing gratitude enhances our chi as we become more aware of our daily blessings.
| Click on any of the chi-inspiring greeting cards below to see an enlarged version. | ||
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| www.thegentlepath.com | www.cardthartic.com | www.stonehengedesigns.com |
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| www.collagegreetings.com | www.colleenattara.com | www.stores.deuxglass.com |
These lists are my gifts to you as we approach the holiday season and the ensuing stress that seems to erode much of our healthy chi. I invite you, my dear readers, to choose one or several of these suggestions as they speak to you and your “needs.”
Please join me in Chi Health Wisdom and let’s look forward to the love and laughter and all that feeds us well in the coming weeks.
Peace and Chi Health!
Sources:
Feature Photo: Artist: Diane English https://www.greatcosmichappyass.com
Other card sources in order of appearance above:
Artist: Erin Smith www.Erinsmithart.com
Artist: K. Bonnema Leslie www.kbonnemaleslie.com
Artist: Leigh Standley www.Curlygirldesign.com
Artist: Colleen Attara colleenattara.com (printed on recycled and biodegradable paper)
Artists: Jacqueline Jones www.stonehengedesigns.com
Artist: Jane Stone www.jstonecards.com
Artist: Lori Faye Bock www.LoriFayeBock.com (printed on recycled paper)
Artist: J.C Mayer nwww.nouvellesimages.com
Artist: Shannon Martin www.madisonparkgroup (printed on recycled paper)
Artist: Janice Earhart www.izoar.com
Artist: Rick Filler www.thegentlepath.com (printed on recycled paper)
Artist: Silver Charm Photography and Jodee Stevens www.cardthartic.com (printed on recycled paper with soy ink)
Artist: Photo by Sarah Vandervoort www.stonehengedesigns.com
Artist: Carolyn Rose Sullivan/Lollygag line www.collagegreetings.com (made from recycled wood)
Artist: Colleen Attara www.colleenattara.com (printed on recycled and biodegrabdable paper)
Artists: Jim and Blanka www.stores.deuxglass.com
About.com/Feng Shui
Gaiam.com/Spiritual Growth
Skye Alexander-“The Care and Feeding of your Chi”
*For those of you who live in the Denver area, I have purchased many of the above listed cards at The Papery. www.thepaperydenver.com
Shirley or Connie would love to help you out and the store offerings are GREAT!
If you “Like” this post, I’d be thrilled if you’d share it.
NOV
