There are several facets to the “Spirit”, and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, various pieces/ fragments of the spirit reside in various visceral organs of the body. The “Shen” portion of our spirit resides in the Heart, and the Heart is known to govern the “King Fire” (bigger Yang True Fire, AKA: Heart Vitality). It’s important to understand that vitality of one organ and one organ’s vitality greatly relies with the balance of another organ, as organs in TCM function in pairs (Yin/Yang) and have an interrelationship dynamic such as “Mother/Son” dynamic, in which where one is weak the other will manifest distress and or disharmony.
So it’s important to remember that when seeking professional help with any ailment you may be experiencing, your Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner will have the skills to take several of your symptoms (whether you believe are related or not), and connect the dots, see the big picture, target the root of any health issue and treat it!
As an Acupuncturist, the more I know, the more my questions will be customized to each patients’ unique situation and more personalized my recommendations will be. Having said that however, there are generic tips we can all practice to maintain good cardiovascular health no doubt!
- Regular Acupuncture treatments are great for cardiovascular health, stress management, and improving sleep quality for good.
- Healthy Activity: practicing daily movement indulging in a healthy activity that keep your body moving is great for the Heart as it strengthens its muscles, improves fat metabolism so the heart doesn’t have to work too hard and of-course it rejuvenates the cycle of blood circulation throughout our entire bodies.
- Manage stress instead of numbing it please, and steer away from recreational drug use, drinking too much alcohol and or smoking as they are toxins to the body and reduce heart function. Instead, embrace new stress management techniques, such as Yoga.
- Red foods are amazing for both heart as we as blood health, some highly nourishing and nutritious for cardiovascular health are beets, tomatoes, red beans, strawberries, watermelon & cherries! Yum!
- Hearty soups are a great way to ensure you are taking in all the nutrients from your favourite vegetables! This is a fantastic time to get creative with your combinations of some delicious vegetables, particularly Red cabbage! it does wonders for the Heart (raises which in turn prevents hardening of arteries)
- Legumes, and of course your favourite leafy greens such as broccoli & kale! My tip: make such soups once a week, can be more if you want to add in legumes (dry & soaked not canned please), use either water with mild spices/vegetable/meat/chicken stock, cook on a medium-low heat and then blend everything together to a smooth creamy goodness & enjoy.
- It goes without mentioning that adequate sleep and a healthy bedtime routine will undoubtedly go a long way for cardiovascular health and whole-body wellbeing! Our body is not programmed to rejuvenate after 12pm! Meaning that cellular repair and rejuvenation do not occur at midnight and onwards. We will get physical rest which is always great, but we definitely require cellular rejuvenation to maintain optimal vitality and prevent degeneration of our wellbeing!
Faith Belhacene is a Registered Acupuncturist in Vancouver.
