Radiant Qi Wellness

Tag: health

  • How to Stay Healthy Naturally with TCM’s Preventive Wisdom

    How to Stay Healthy Naturally with TCM’s Preventive Wisdom

    Ever feel like you’re always catching colds, or that your energy dips just when you need it most?

    According to American Lung Association, most adults get sick two to three times a year. While that’s considered “normal,” Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a powerful mindset shift that can help you feel healthier, stronger, and more resilient all year round.

    This principle is called 治未病 (zhì wèi bìng), which literally translates to “treat disease before it happens.”

    What Does 治未病 Mean?

    In TCM, health isn’t just about treating symptoms once you’re sick. It’s about preventing and maintaining wellness so your body is less likely to get sick in the first place.

    Breaking down the characters:

    • 治 (zhì) → to treat
    • 未 (wèi) → not yet
    • 病 (bìng) → disease

    Together, they remind us: don’t wait until illness strikes. Care for your body now.

    Why This Matters Today

    Modern life often pushes us into a cycle of burnout: late nights, skipped meals, endless stress. It’s no wonder colds, flu, and fatigue hit us harder. The wisdom of 治未病 invites us to slow down, listen to our bodies, and shift from reaction to prevention.

    Think of it like building a well: you wouldn’t wait until you’re dying of thirst to start digging. The same applies to health—prepare your body before challenges arrive.

    Four Layers of Prevention in TCM

    TCM outlines four layers of preventive care that apply across both health and illness:

    1. 未病先防 – Prevent illness before it arises

    When you’re healthy, focus on the basics:

    • Maintain good sleep hygiene (your body recharges at night
    • Move daily to circulate energy and strengthen immunity
    • Eat whole foods, fruits, and vegetables to nourish your body

    Think of these habits as charging your body’s battery before it runs low.

    2. 欲病早治 – Treat illness early

    At the first sign of discomfort—scratchy throat, fatigue, body aches—don’t brush it aside. Now is the time to…

    • Rest more, hydrate, and take medicine if needed
    • Press acupuncture points like LI4 (on the hand) or ST36 (on the leg) to boost immunity

    Catching illness early is like putting out a small spark before it becomes a wildfire.

    3. 既病防变 – Prevent illness from worsening

    If you’re already sick, your job is recovery—not pushing through.

    • Take a sick day. Stay in bed and give your body permission to heal
    • Avoid greasy or raw meals that strain digestion

    By honoring rest, you shorten the duration of illness and protect your long-term health.

    4. 愈后防复 – Prevent relapse after recovery

    Once you’re feeling better, it’s tempting to jump back into life at full speed. But your body still needs to rebuild.

    • Ease back into strenuous exercise gradually.
    • Support your system with restorative foods like bone broth or red dates to replenish energy (qi).

    This prevents relapse and helps you return stronger than before.

    A Mindset for Lasting Health

    At its heart, 治未病 is about living with awareness: noticing your body’s signals and giving it what it needs before problems grow.

    Instead of asking “How do I fix this illness?” ask: “How can I stay well in the first place?”

    Ready to Go Deeper?

    I created a video that breaks down these four layers of 治未病 with examples you can start using today. Watch it here 👉

    Closing Thought

    Small, consistent choices—whether it’s sleeping earlier, pausing at the first sign of illness, or nourishing yourself after recovery—add up over time. This is how you build true resilience, the TCM way.

  • Stay Healthy This Fall with 春捂秋冻 | Traditional Chinese Wellness Practice

    Stay Healthy This Fall with 春捂秋冻 | Traditional Chinese Wellness Practice

    On a crisp fall morning, try leaving a layer off instead of bundling up.

    This small, traditional practice can help your body stay resilient and healthy through seasonal changes. Known as 春捂秋冻 (chūn wǔ qiū dòng), it’s a time-honored 养生 (yǎngshēng) or Chinese wellness practice.

    But 春捂秋冻 is more than just a guideline for dressing—it embodies the Chinese philosophical concept of 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī), which emphasizes living in harmony with nature and the rhythms of the cosmos.

    Why Practice 春捂秋冻?

    The benefits are simple but profound:

    • Strengthen immunity
    • Prevent illness
    • Help the body stay balanced with seasonal changes, aligning with natural shifts in yin and yang energy

    By gradually adapting to seasonal temperature changes, the body builds resilience and maintains overall health and vitality.

    What 春捂秋冻 Means

    Breaking down the proverb literally:

    • 春 (chūn) = spring
    • 捂 (wǔ) = cover, keep warm
    • 秋 (qiū) = autumn
    • 冻 (dòng) = endure chill, be cold

    In practice:

    • In spring, don’t shed warm clothes too quickly.
    • In autumn, don’t bundle up too soon.
    • Let your body adapt gradually to seasonal changes.

    How to Practice 秋冻 (Enduring Autumn Chill)

    1. Clothing

    • Wear thin, layered clothing and add layers gradually.
    • Aim to feel slightly cool—not shivering.
    • Example: wear a long-sleeve shirt in the morning, remove layers if it’s warm at noon, and put them back on in the evening.
    • In late autumn, delay adding extra layers slightly to allow some exposure to cold for immune benefits.

    2. Timing

    • When temperatures stay above 68°F (20°C), a little exposure to cool air is healthy—it promotes circulation, strengthens immunity, and prevents illness caused by overheating.
    • If temperatures stay below 59°F (15°C) for more than two weeks, it’s time to switch to warmer autumn/winter clothing.

    3. Body Parts

    • Keep head, neck, abdomen, shoulders, and feet warm.
    • These areas are key entry points for cold and vital for maintaining the body’s internal heat (yang energy).

    4. Who Should Avoid 秋冻

    • Children, the elderly, people prone to cold, or anyone with chronic illnesses should avoid extended exposure to cold.

    5. Regional Differences

    • In northern regions (or places with early, chilly autumns and large day-night temperature swings), add layers in the mornings and evenings.
    • In southern regions with milder autumns, you can extend exposure to cooler air and add clothing more gradually.

    Key Takeaway

    春捂秋冻 is more than an old saying—it’s a practical guide to living with the seasons:

    • Spring: don’t shed warm clothes too quickly
    • Autumn: don’t bundle up too early

    Gradual adaptation helps your body stay resilient, balanced, and healthy throughout seasonal transitions.