Nature for Optimal Health through Acupuncture Theory

"There is nothing you can see that is not a flower; there is nothing you can think that is not the moon."

~BASHO

Yin and Yang Theory

Everything in nature is connected, and You are entirely connected to nature. Changes in nature are always reflected in your body. Chinese Medicine observes nature to understand sufficiently how the body works as the body is a microcosm of a macrocosm, so an individual is in the natural world.

Your body is an integrated whole, just as nature is an integrated whole. Every structure in your body is an integral and necessary part of the whole, including your mind, emotions, spirit, and physical body. All aspects of the body come together to create a miraculously complex, interrelated system. We can appreciate the interconnectivity in nature that reflects in ourselves through a theory called Yin and Yang.

Yin and Yang's theory observes nature and how it maintains balance. The theory describes how everything functions in connection to one another, how things work within the body, and how our body functions relative to our environment. Yin cannot exist without Yang and vice versa. They are relative, interdependent, interchangeable, and transformative. 

The theory originated through observing nature and the environment. Yin referred to the "shady" side of the mountain, and Yang referred to the "sunny" side.

Yin is the shadow side, the solid, dark, cold, slow, moist, and earth energetics. 

Yang is the sunny side, the hollow, light, hot, active, dry, and sky energetics.

How We Can Apply Yin/Yang Theory to Life

Chinese Medicine encompasses a holistic view of the body and understands that our natural world impacts our health. Rooted in Daoism, Acupuncture works on this principle of duality. In Acupuncture, the theory guides us so that when an imbalance arises, we can get to the root cause of the imbalance. Chinese Medicine emphasizes the value of living in harmony with our natural world.

One way to live in harmony with nature is to place yourself in it.

Nature impacts our health profoundly.

Stressed? Walk in nature.

Anxious? Walk in nature.

Depressed? Walk in nature.

Overthinking? Walk in nature.

Tired? Walk in nature.

Finding Balance of Yin and Yang

through Shinrin Yoku

Evidence-based research concludes positive physiological impacts on the mind, body, and spirit when we submerge ourselves in the natural world with more trees, less noise pollution, and cleaner air.

Effects of shinrin yoku, forest bathing:

"The results of studies performed on the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku show that forest environments could lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, increase parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity compared with city settings. The results of the physiological measurements suggest that Shinrin-yoku can aid in effectively relaxing the human body, and the psychological effects of forest areas have been correlated with the various physical environmental factors of forest. The studies of Shinrin-yoku provide valuable insights into the relationship between forests and human health (Park et al., 2010).”

Life is a constant state of flux, the ebb, and flow of energy moving toward homeostasis. Too much indoor time, fluorescent lighting, and passive days equal too much "Yin." We have to balance out both sides of the pole.  

My tip for this week:  

Take a minimum of Five minutes per day this week to get outside.

-This can be sitting outside under a big ole oak tree.

-Taking a walk around your yard.

-Head over to your nearest park for a stroll.

-Sit outside at night and listen to the sounds of nature.

-Watch a sunset.

Pause, breathe, and take it all in.  

Cheers to finding balance.

-Dr. Jen

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” 

― John Muir

References

Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010, January). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): Evidence from field experiments in 24 Forests across Japan. Environmental health and preventive medicine. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793346/

Williams, F. (2018). The nature fix: Why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative. W.W. Norton & Company.