10 Practical, Easy Activities to Balance Your Qi

10 Practical, Easy Activities to Balance Your Qi
(RyanKing999/iStock)
7/31/2015
Updated:
8/4/2015

1. Breath Through Your Nose

Yes, the beginning can be that simple! Breathing through your nose increases your intake of nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide causes your blood vessels to relax and to widen, thereby opening up your arteries. This decreases your blood pressure, allows better blood flow to your heart and other important organs. To read more about the health benefits of nitric oxide click here.

2. De-clutter Your Home and Workspace

It will lower your stress level and increase your efficiency at home and work. Organize your child’s workspace as a good way to increase his or her productivity as well.

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement and space. Think of it in Western terms as putting your house in order. In feng shui, having a cluttered home blocks the energy flow through the structure. In Chinese medicine, blocked energy can lead to both emotional and physical pain.

3. Try Yoga

For those of you here in Chicago, Dave Norfleet offers a great free yoga class at Belmont Harbor every Tuesday night throughout the summer. 

If you are short on time, get a yoga DVD and do 15 minutes at home. It is worth it. Rodney Yee tends to provide good instruction on his DVDs.

4. Give Up Perfectionism

 Keep realistic standards for yourself.

5. Ask for Help

Ask before you need it, so it will be available when you need it.

6. Learn to Say No

You cannot take responsibility for everything and everyone.

7. Get Sleep and Relaxation

If you are rested and relaxed, you have more energy to cope with life’s demands.

8. Eat Foods Rich in Essential Fatty Acids

These are considered anti-inflammatory. Essential fatty acids (EFAs ) help with depression, stress, pain, arthritis, and menopause.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include the following: salmon, sardines, tuna, and other cold water fish; nuts and seeds, notably flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and walnuts; soybeans, and winter squash. 

9. If You’re Married

If you’re married or have a partner, make it a priority to find time for just the two of you alone every week.

10. Try Acupuncture

And of course acupuncture is always a great way to balance your qi!

Jennifer Dubowsky, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist with a practice in downtown Chicago, Illinois, since 2002. Dubowsky earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from University of Illinois in Chicago and her Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado. During her studies, she completed an internship at the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital in Beijing, China. Dubowsky has researched and written articles on Chinese medicine and has given talks on the topic. She maintains a popular blog about health and Chinese medicine at Acupuncture Blog Chicago. Adventures in Chinese Medicine is her first book. You can find her at www.tcm007.com.

Jennifer Dubowsky is a licensed acupuncturist with a practice in downtown Chicago, Illinois, since 2002. Jennifer maintains a popular blog about health and Chinese Medicine and In 2013, Jennifer released her first book, Adventures in Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, Herbs and Ancient Ideas for Today.
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