Using the Five Elements to Balance Your Body & Maintain Overall Health

Wood Element

The wood element has a strong relationship with the feelings of stress and anxiety. When we feel stressed, the energy in our body can get stuck and exercise is a great way to release the tension.

Tips:

• Move your body enough to raise your heartbeat, but don’t over strain yourself

• Start with simple activities such as walking & stretching and gradually build up your routine

• Stay consistent, try and do at least 30 minutes of activity each day

  • Include a variety of activities, such as:

    • Cardio training - walking, running, cycling

    • Strength training – YouTube and Pintrest are great places to find an assortment of at home strength training exercises

    • Yoga & pilates – there are an abundance of instructors on Youtube and a variety of styles of classes

Water Element

The best way to boost the water element is to stay well hydrated. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there isn't a specific amount of water you should be drinking each day. It is more important to listen to your body and be consistent with how much you are drinking.

Tips:

• Start your day with a glass of warm water as a way to improve digestion (adding lemon can also help!)

• Try to drink small sips, consistently throughout the day

• Drink a combination of water and herbal tea

• Try to avoid drinking ice cold water

• To add a variety of taste you can add fresh fruit or vegetables, such as lemon, cucumber, or berries

• Limit drinks that contain caffeine as they lead to dehydration

Fire Element

The fire element has a tendency to flare up and disrupt your mind when out of balance, so it is important to develop a consistent bedtime routine to help encourage better sleep.  This will help calm your mind and allow your body to feel rejuvenated in the morning.

Tips:

• Take time to decompress at the end of the day by doing activities such as reading, taking a warm bath, meditating, or yin style yoga

• Avoid the use of technology, especially once you are in bed (ideally, keep all electronics out of your bedroom)

• Try to keep your bedtime routine consistent and go to bed and wake up at the same time each day

Metal Element

The metal element governs the lungs and respiration, as well as building up our external defense to illness. It comes as no surprise that breathing exercises that focus on deep breaths will strengthen the lungs and boost immunity, which all leads to a balanced metal element.

Tips:

• Develop a consistent daily routine that includes 5-10 minutes of mindful breathing, once or twice a day

• Focus on your posture, maintain a straight back with your shoulders relaxed

• Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth

• When practicing your deep breathing, the focus should be on your abdomen expanding fully when you inhale and deflating fully when you exhale

• Be mindful of your shoulders, making sure they aren’t rising & falling

Earth Element

The earth element is all about keeping the body grounded and nourished, which can be done by focusing on the food you eat and your overall digestion.

Tips:

• Develop a routine of eating balanced meals at consistent times throughout the day

• Avoid complicated dishes and keep portion sizes moderate

• Include warm, cooked, comforting foods such as:

  • Brown rice, oats, spelt

  • Carrots, turnip, yams, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash

  • Peas, lentils

  • Fennel, garlic, ginger

  • Cinnamon, black pepper

  • Foods like soups and stews “that take time to cook”

• Limit foods that are cold and raw, as well as processed sugars, dairy and fried foods

• Make meal times a time when you come together with loved ones, whether in person or through video chat