by Tanya Keam | May 2, 2023 | Acupuncture, Autoimmune, Bloating, Chinese medicine, Chronic fatigue, Client information, Digestive health, Health practitioner, Herbal remedies, IBS, Immune system, Inflammation, Loose stools, Nambour, Nourishing, Seasonal living, Sunshine coast
Digestive health in Chinese medicine is determined by the digestive symptoms we experience. The way food is prepared and cooked affects how we absorb nutrients. Our energy level, mood, body shape and muscle mass, flavour cravings, gyneocological problems and bowel movements tell us important information. Research is now suggesting a link between the gut-brain connection with conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (1) and the effects of our mental health and stress levels impacting our gut health. From a Chinese medicine point of view the way humans can overthink and worry in the mind, directly affects the digestion. Science is just now catching up with digestive health in Chinese medicine.
In Chinese medicine, a lot of emphasis is on the energetics of the spleen organ. What does the spleen do? Its job is to digest food, coagulate blood and metabolise fluid in the body. In other words, transform food and water into energy and then transport that energy around the body to make everything our body is made up of such as blood cells and muscle.
Because our core body temperate ranges from 35.9 to 37.2, the spleen does a much better job when cooked foods are eaten. Like our tummy is a nice warm cauldron. Having an icy cold smoothie, cold breakfast and cold water throughout the day make the spleen work harder by first using energy to warm up whats been ingested, then ‘transform and transport’. Going from a 19 degree fridge temperate (or even colder if you’re eating something frozen, to a 36.5 degree stomach temperature!) So its doing double the work! Symptoms that can arise are fatigue, bloating, excessive sweet cravings, soft and/or loose stools, poor muscle tone and deficiency of minerals and nutrients due to poor absorption.
It’s not to say every meal we have needs to be cooked. But a warm cooked breakfast such as eggs or oats, starts your day off well by keeping you fuller for longer (protein makes you feel fuller so daily eggs are a good option). Salads and raw fruit is still important to consume for vitamins and minerals but ease off on them in the cooler months, or have the salad at room temperature.
Cauldrons of soups, pots of fragrant teas, bowls of steaming rice and slow cooks stews are your best friend in the cooler months because no vitamins or minerals are lost in the cooking methods (like when steaming or blanching vegetables). Instead, all of the nutrients stay in the liquid. Warm meals keep us well and energised.
For people who cannot stomach food in the morning, this is due to the stress hormone cortisol being too high. Adrenaline kicks in when you wake up to get you going for the day because Cortisol is highest first thing in the morning. Often reaching for a coffee on an empty stomach stimulates adrenaline further and people live in this cycle of cortisol – adrenaline. If you have a job where getting up at 3.30am is your day, then you’re not going to be hungry because you’re body is suppose to be still asleep, but come 6-7am your stomach should be telling you to eat something by then. If you really do enjoy a morning coffee, aim for mid morning and have food with it so the caffeine isn’t triggering adrenaline and cortisol.
Ideally, waking up to hydrate with room temperature to warm water, then eat a warm breakfast between 7-9am is best for our digestive health in Chinese medicine theory. The spleen energy kicks in from 9-11am to do its T & T function. With daily exercise, daily bowel movements should be well formed and feel complete. If you need to wipe your bottom a lot or theres quite a lot of smell or mess in the toilet are you flush – your spleen is under-fuctioning like there is a “stickiness” in your stools. In Chinese medicine we call this dampness. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can quickly harmonise this. On the other hand if you’re bowels are irregular or sluggish then the body is absorbing waste back into the body – this can lead to liver problems and further bowel problems. Research has also shown that the warm therapeutic effect of moxibustion (burning compressed mugwort on or near a person’s skin) to help alleviate various conditions involving pain and discomfort, including IBS, showed moxibustion may also provide a benefit to IBS patients in 20 randomised-controlled trial results (2).
If you are suffering from digestive symptoms mentioned above or you believe you have poor digestion, have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel, IBS or you’re aware stress and emotions are upsetting your stomach, please contact us today to discuss how we can help your digestive health at our Nambour Acupuncture clinic in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Hi, I’m T
anya, an AHPRA registered Acupuncturist and health practitioner in Nambour in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland Australia. I practice Chinese medicine because its safe, logical, relevant and has effectively shown methods of natural wellness for thousands of years (read more about my training here). Life doesn’t need to be complicated and nor does the treatment approaches to get people feeling vibrant and well. I’ve seen people gain a lot from treatments, much more than just alleviating symptoms. It’s exciting to connect with people and share deep wisdom from the classics of ancient and traditional medicine, with modern protocols for todays mind-body living. See you in the clinic !
References:
- Harvard Health Publishing (2018). ‘The gut-brain: connection. At: ’https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6111498/
- Mayo Clinic (2018). “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”. At: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
- https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-13-247#Sec7
by Tanya Keam | Jan 14, 2022 | Acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Cough, covid19, Food, Immune Support, Immune system, Nambour, Nourishing, Seasonal living, Sunshine coast, Winter
Immune System treatment with Chinese Medicine
Immune system Chinese Medicine and Western medicine treatment approaches are quite different from each other.
When a virus enters the nose and throat, our immune system has receptors that tell the body there is an ‘invasion’, so the body sends helpers to ‘defend’ the body at the sight of infection, so we feel a sore throat come on for example. The immune system can often fight off an infection on its own, other times other invention may be needed.
The treatment for treating a common cold or flu from a western medicine perspective may include pharmaceutical use such as ibropofen to drop a fever, panadol for a headache, your doctor may advise rest and fluids to keep you hydrated. Elderly people are often given a flu shot in Autumn so they can build some antibodies to at least some of the inlfuenza variants in time for when Winter comes around and flu’s are more common.
The treatment for treating a common cold or flu or anything else viral from a Chinese medicine or eastern medicine perspective includes first understanding the onset. One person may come down with a sore throat and headache, another may feel lethargic, stuffy nose and feverish – even with the same variant of virus. The persons’ general health and medical history is also taken into account. For example if someone has chronic asthma but exercises regularly and eats a well balanced diet, compared to someone who is diabetic, obese and may be on multiple medications – they are completely different health status’s and their immune system response to a virus may be vastly different.
Herbal medicine is used at the first onset of symptoms for a virus which presents with flu symptoms and diagnosed usually with 3 seperate clinical presentations:
- Wind cold – runny nose, sneezing, some mucous congestion, fatigue, maybe a slight cough. There are no ‘hot’ symptoms and often happen if we just get caught in the rain or when the winds pick up in Autumn in the southern hemisphere.
- Wind heat – sore throat, swollen glands, headache, fever, achy muscles, lethargy, rapid heart rate and a yellow tongue coating. These are hot symptoms and often we catch this type of pathogen from someone else. Wind cold can sometimes turn into a wind heat pattern if the immune system has a hard time recovering. The mucous will go from clear to white to yellow to green and the fever etc kick in to further fight off the now hotter pathogen.
- Toxic heat and/or with phlegm – this type of condition is when wind heat isn’t resolved and a person gets more sick. They may end up with a lung infection with green or blood streaked sputum or have phlegm in their digestive system which leads to loose or sticky stools as well as lung phlegm that is hard to expectorate.
Depending on the persons constitution, herbal medicine is given as soon as symptoms come on. If you can get herbs into you within the first 12 hrs of a sore throat coming on (a wind heat pathogen for example), the herbs vent, disperse the expel the virus outwards preventing it from going deeper (aches, fever, then going to the chest then do not occur). As well as hydration, a healthy diet and rest. If however a pathogen lingers and nasty cough sticks arounds for weeks, a whole different approach is needed now as not only does the pathogen need to vent but the persons immune system needs some serious support!
Nutrition is a key part in anything cold/flu. Wind heat patterns already have so much heat in the body with fever, sore throats and aches going on we don’t want to add fire to fire so avoiding heating foods such as spicy, chocolate or coffee which create further heat is not recommended. But watermelon which is very cooling on the body also soothes a sore throat. Bonus! When a lot of mucous is present, it is not recommended to consume foods while sick that create more mucous in the body. These include dairy products and foods that have the texture of mashed avocado, peanut butter or bananas – they have ‘sticky’ consistency which is exactly what phlegm is. Whereas as a wind cold presentation would benefit from some spices such as chai tea which have dispersing and slightly warming qualities to balance out that cold invasion. it is a simple balance of cold balances hot, hot balances cold and avoiding those sticky ‘damp’ kind of phlegm foods when you have a chesty cough.
Traditional Chinese medicine consists of multiple facets to healing including acupuncture, cupping and gua sha therapy, massage, herbal medicine, exercise, nutrition and lifestyle recommendations to keep people well and as a way of preventative medicine. The lung energy is very much associated with the immune system so doing exercises that strengthen the lungs such as swimming, yoga, breath work and running build that lung capacity and ‘chi’ (energy). Someone who has Asthma would really benefit from swimming to strengthen the lungs and with the bonus of outside exercise you get Vitamin D too. Many minerals and vitamins found in our foods also support the immune system which is well researched, so eating a well balanced diet with lots of fruit and veggies is looking after you!
Allowing fevers to break on their own (without always reaching for the Ibuprofen) is a good sign your immune system is fighting off an infection. Further intervention is rarely needed when a fever gets high, but shouldn’t be disregarded either as a high fever can cause further illness. Getting a cold or flu every now and then is okay as well as your body creates antibodies to further protect itself for future attacks. Common herbs to strengthen the immune system in Chinese medicine are Huang Qi (Astragalus), Lingzhi (Reishi mushroom) and Bai zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae) which can be taken through the cold flu season to boost the immune system.
Here is a simple recipe to help a lingering cough!
If you’d like support in balancing your body and immune system Chinese medicine style then book in for a consult and treatment and we will get your system in great shape! You can book online or contact us at our Sunshine Coast Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Clinic in Nambour on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.
Hi, I’m Tanya, an AHPRA registered Acupuncturist, bodyworker and doctor of Chinese medicine in Nambour in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Queensland Australia. I practice Chinese and natural medicine because its safe, logical, relevant and has effectively shown methods of natural wellness for thousands of years (read more about my training here). Life doesn’t need to be complicated and nor does the treatment approaches to get people feeling vibrant and well. I’ve seen people gain a lot from treatments, much more than just alleviating symptoms. It’s exciting to connect with people and share deep wisdom from the classics of ancient and traditional medicine, with modern protocols for todays mind-body living. See you in the clinic !
by Tanya Keam | Mar 16, 2018 | Acupuncture, Authentic self, Buderim, Chinese medicine, Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Holidays, Nature, Nourishing, Rehabilitation, Rest, Sleep, Spiritual growth, Stress, Sunshine coast, Wellness
I wanted to do a post about the importance of rest as we have moved quickly into the next season. Hello windy Autumn weather! So not just the kind of rest your Sunday afternoon naps on the lounge with your pet gives you, but the kind of rest that is restorative for the long term quality of your life.
LET’S GET REAL !
Many people visit the clinic RUSHING, soldiering on and are burnt out physically and emotionally. Yes that’s totally okay because that’s why health professionals are here to help. But that calm, balanced feeling when you get off the treatment table creates space for you to look at things. If something isn’t working in your life, is making you sick or pissed off, whatever, it’s a kick up the bum to remind yourself to come to back to you and figure out where you want to be and what fills YOUR cup.
Yet we’re always planning ahead. But what about right now? To sit and feel the ocean breeze (without your phone or thinking about what errands need doing), have a nurturing bath or getting your hands creatively dirty…
The keeping up with this fast paced society that tells us we should always be doing something. “We should be busy, making more money, be attending every social event or be bettering everything comparatively”. GAHH! When was the last time you let yourself get caught in the rain? Instead of rushing to the car trying not to get wet. It’s just rain and it’s beautiful and you’re missing it because you need to be somewhere!
You are human, you’re allowed to take time out to sincerely rest your heart, mind and body. To just be. It may be a week, 2 months or even over 12 months. It doesn’t matter in the long scheme of your life how much rest you need but by golly it’s vital!
Going to a yoga class and falling asleep is probably what your body needs. Asking someone to help you out with the kids is what your sanity needs. Saying no to something that doesn’t align with your values is OK. Going for a healing health treatment isn’t self indulgent, it’s restorative.
Planning and being organised is definitely helpful in life, and there’s an element where we need to soldier on and get on with things, but oh my gosh cut yourself some slack sometimes. S L O W D O W N. Enjoy the rain once in a while. If you need to rest, then please allow yourself to because your quality of life matters more than how society tells us how we should be.
Many blessings,
Take care of you,
See you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
by Tanya Keam | Apr 19, 2017 | Acupuncture, Authentic self, Chinese medicine, Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Exercise, Exercise routine, Fitness, Holidays, Joint pain, Mental health, Motivation, Muscle pain, Nambour, Nature, Nourishing, Rehabilitation, Stress, Sunshine coast, Travel, Wellness
How many types of exercises can you list? Tonnes right?
Walking, jogging, weight training, pilates, swimming, yoga, boxing, martial arts, trekking, tennis, snowboarding, gymnastics, basketball, crossfit.. the list goes on!
Who else gets bored at the gym? Have you ever wanted to try a new type of exercise or are you sick of the same environment where you have been exercising? it can lead to lack of motivation for sure!
My general fitness routine consists on swimming, running, yoga and a bit of resistance training. Yet with these 4 I was bored and felt unmotivated to get out there. So, I decided to change things up. I’ve been to the Himalayan Mountains and one trek was a 10km return at 2,828 meters, so looking more close to home I recently climbed a mountain in the Glasshouse Mountains that I hadn’t already climbed. The mighty Mount Beerwah at 556 meters (1,824 ft), the highest of the 10 volcanic plugs in the region, and more like 2 hours, not 10! It had recently re-opened in January 2017 after being closed and doesn’t cost anything – bonus!
The climb wasn’t about how many laps I could swim or what my pace was in running, it was about trying something new, getting outside in the sunshine and fresh air, but most importantly to challenge myself as it’s a steep climb. Oh and don’t let age define what you can and cannot do. I passed a 70 year old couple on the mountain, taking it slow but doing it! I must advise, if you are new to mountain climbing or bush walking then start with a smaller mountain like Ngun Ngun or Mount Coolum that are very popular to climb on the Sunshine Coast.
What did I get out of the climb? First of all, 2 hours of fresh Autumn crisp air, sunshine sunshine sunshine, elements of conquering fear when I thought I couldn’t climb any further as my legs were jelly and the top seemed so far away. I also had such a clear head space – I wasn’t thinking about last week or tomorrow, I was right there trying to find the next step to go higher while breathing heavily. Reaching the summit was tough but I did it and felt stoked with my achievement. Coming down was quicker and lots of sliding. Thank god I had good trekking shoes on to grip the rock face, and I was wearing gloves to protect my hands! At the bottom, I ended up with ripped pants and a few cuts but god did I feel on top of the world! I conquered the mother of mountains but also myself !
Soaking in an epsom salt bath that night as I knew I would be sore from using VERY different muscles that I had been using, all I could think of was what I could do next to add to my fitness regime and to challenge myself. What did I do? I looked for a bigger mountain – Mount Warning at 1,156 meters! Then I started planning my next break to go snowboarding. Why? Because I haven’t done it and life is about experiences!
So if you are feeling unmotivated with doing fitness and then feel guilty for not doing it, try something new, especially something outdoors. Mountain climbing, a game of tennis, join a team sport or a outdoor bootcamp. Just try it. Trust me, you will love it!
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
by Tanya Keam | Mar 22, 2017 | Acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Client information, Daily Rituals, Deficiency, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Fertility, fertility acupuncture, Food, Herbal remedies, Hormones, Menstrual cycle, Mental health, Nambour, Nourishing, Nutrition, pregnancy, Stress, Sunshine coast, Wellness, Womens health, Yin
Have you heard of Yin and Yang?
In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Many tangible dualities (such as light and dark, fire and water, expanding and contracting) are thought of as physical manifestations of the duality symbolized by yin and yang.
Yin qualities include:
Darkness, moon, feminine, shade, quiet, inward
Yang qualities include:
Light, sun, masculine, brightness, loud, outward
Example include:
Night (yin) and day (yang)
Yoga exercise (yin) and boxing exercise (yang)
Yin represents the energy that is responsible for moistening and cooling bodily functions. When this energy is depleted your body begins to show signs of “heating up”. This is not a true heat such as a fever, but rather a lack of the moistening and cooling functions that are necessary to maintain a healthy balance.
Women are more yin, while men are more yang – for example yin is all of the fluids in the body for women (breast milk, menstruation, vaginal discharge/lubricant) – men don’t have this. Men do have some yin qualities, as well as women having some yang qualities.
This post is focused on yin foods, thus nourishing the body and rebalancing conditions. These can include dry skin, menopausal hot flushes, tendon and ligament tightness or flaccidity, vaginal dryness, lack of breast milk production, low libido, insomnia, feeling low, scanty menstruation, hot hands and feet, constipation, dull headaches or anxiety.
Why is your yin imbalanced? Well, lots of reasons – genetics, age, stress on the body, trauma, blood loss, excess sexual activity, recreational drug use, too many yang hot foods, poor diet and lifestyle to name a few.
Nutrition is a simple way to balance yin and yang. Yin foods are cool and expanding; Yang foods are warm and contracting. Think of a shell of iceberg lettuce (Yin), and now a chunk of beef steak (Yang), and you will instantly recognise this meaning.
Foods to nourish Yin include:
- Grains: barley, millet
- Vegetables: alfalfa sprout, artichoke, asparagus, kelp, mung bean sprout, pea, potato,seaweed,string bean, sweet potato, tomato, water chestnut, yam, zucchini
- Fruit: apple, apricot, avocado, banana, lemon, lime, mango, mulberry, pear, persimmon, pineapple, pomegranate, watermelon
- Beans: adzuki, black beans, black soya, kidney, lima, mung
- Bean Products: tofu
- Nuts and seeds: coconut milk, sesame seed, black sesame seed, walnut
- Fish: fish in general but especially clam, fresh water clam, crab, cuttlefish, oyster, octopus, sardine
- Meat: beef, duck, goose, pork, pork kidney, rabbit
- Dairy: cheese, chicken egg, cow’s milk, duck egg
- Herbs and spices: marjoram, nettle
- Oils and condiments: honey, malt,
Common supplements: Ginseng, royal jelly
Examples of every day foods that can be used to build yin, include:
- Fruit smoothies with honey and banana or a fruit salad
- Fish dishes with coconut milk
- Omelettes with cheese
- Asparagus and egg salads with sesame seeds
- Tacos made with Kidney beans and topped with a small amount of cheese
- Baked Potato stuffed with tofu with soya sauce and sesame seeds.
- Pork and apple dishes
- Miso soup with tofu and seaweed
Foods to avoid:
- Stimulating foods such as the following will only further deplete yin: caffeine, alcohol, sugar and strongly heating, pungent spices.
Note: Like yin tonifying herbs, yin building foods have a tendency to congest the digestive organs and promote stagnation if large amounts are consumed. It is therefore important to consume small quantities frequently rather than large helpings irregularly. Such as a large portion if a fish coconut curry late at night is not ideal as it will sit in your stomach, stagnate and not digest properly before bed. Thus a small portion between 5-6pm is more ideal as there is more time before you go to bed to digest it.
Also, It’s not to say that yang foods you already consume such as roast chicken, other types of fish, coffee, tea, black pepper etc are to be completely avoided. Remember yin and yang balance each other out, are contrary forces that are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent of each other.
Other yin tips: meditate; eat more fresh fruit and salads; drink more water, teas and juices; wear pastel colors; wear loose, flowing clothes; stretch; get out into nature; listen to relaxing music; light candles at night.
Take care of you, see you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
by Tanya Keam | Nov 30, 2016 | Acupuncture, Chinese medicine, fertility acupuncture, Homemade, Nambour, Nourishing, Nutrition, Recipes, Seasonal living, Sunshine coast, Vegetarian, Wellness
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (cooked with your choice of broth)
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups spinach leaves
- ½ cup (or more, to taste) avocado coriander dressing
- Haloumi cheese (grilled) or Mozarrella, cut into bite sized pieces
- a few handfuls of crushed almonds or other nuts
- grilled veggies like asparagus or zucchini
- grilled chicken or another protein such as tofu
- half an avocado
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup water (more as needed to adjust consistency)
- 1 cup coriander leaves and stems
- 1 small clove of garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- a squeeze of lime juice
Put together all ingredients in a bowl, chill dressing separately until ready to serve.
An easy and healthy meal to prepare for Summer gatherings.
Eat well, take care of you, see you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
by Tanya Keam | Aug 4, 2016 | Chinese medicine, Client information, Dairy alternatives, Dairy free, DIY Wellness Tips, Food, Homemade, Nourishing, Nutrition, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian
2 cups (tightly packed) fresh basil, rinsed thoroughly and dried
1/3 cup raw pine nuts or walnuts
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic gloves, chopped
Pinch of black pepper and sea salt / himalayan salt
2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast (BRAGG) – Made from inactive yeast that has a cheesy flavour, used to replace parmesan cheese in traditional pesto. You can find it in most health food stores.
Blend all ingredients together in a food processor, first start with half the oil, blend, stir with a spoon, add remaining oil and blend on high again.
Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks in an air tight glass jar. Add a little oil on the top of jar to keep the pesto moist.
Basil is high in Vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, magnesium, folate and manganese.
Enjoy with your favourite roast vegetables, buckwheat pasta or raw zucchini curly noodles!
Eat well, take care of you, see you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
by Tanya Keam | Apr 12, 2016 | Acupuncture, Authentic self, Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Mental health, Nambour, Nature, Nourishing, Spiritual growth, Sunshine coast, Wellness
When you’re feeling a bit down, low energy, stressed, emotional or disconnected.. Here’s a few tips to nurture yourself:
Practice daily exercise, mix up it up with different types – walking, yoga, bike riding, mountain climbing, swimming, resistance training
Eat a nutritious well balanced diet – eat regular meals so that your blood sugar levels are maintained
Have a positive mindset, wake up with a happy intention
Spend time in nature
Surround yourself with positive and like-minded people
Take a bath with oils and epsom salt
Read a new book… and finish it
Join a community group – dancing, fitness, book club
Journal ideas, thoughts and emotions
Learn something new
Talk to a friend or a professional if you don’t feel like your coping or just need to get things off your chest
Go to a comedy show and have a good laugh with good friends
Be kind to yourself – go to bed early and rest when you need to
Respect yourself with boundaries
Look in the mirror and smile at yourself
Make yourself a cup and tea and sit outside in the sunshine
Practice conscious breathing and meditation or go to a tai chi class
Get some vitamin D and go for a swim in the ocean
Let go of criticism toward yourself and others
Have a health treatment such as acupuncture, massage, kinesiology
Spend time with animals, take a friends dog for a walk
Do something creative with your hands
Turn the television off and sit outside under the stars
Cook yourself your favourite food
Recognise all the good things in your life!
“If you can’t change something, change your attitude” – Maya Angelou
Take care of you, see you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
by Tanya Keam | Nov 10, 2015 | Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Holidays, Nourishing, Sleep, Stress, Wellness
Full-time work is 38.5 hours a week for the average adult in Australia. Some, if not most, juggling more hours to make financial ends meet, FIFO, studying, being a parent, running a business etc. In my line of work/lifestyle of the health field, I personally NEED time to rejuvenate and replenish myself so I can be the practitioner I need to be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. But everyone needs rest and time to rejuvenate.
Maintaining work-life balance can be HARD but with careful planning it
CAN BE DONE!
I recently went on a spontaneous trip with a friend up to the Northern Territory for an unplanned road trip. All we booked were our flights and one of those outrageous Wicked Campers you see with funny and inappropriate slogans painted across the vehicle. We packed the car with healthy food, electrolytes, bush walking shoes, sunscreen, litres of water and our swimming gear and set off south east down the Stuart Highway from Darwin. We had 4 full days to visit national parks, sleep under the stars, visit indigenous landmark paintings, meet the locals, climb mountains to hidden waterfalls and hear about the history of certain areas. But most importantly really see this A M A Z I N G country, turn our phones off and not check the time.
Tips to make weekends away possible
> Prioritise your tasks – write lists for what needs doing (use a daily diary), plan the day and week ahead. Instead of getting overwhelmed, take a pause and ask yourself what is more important to you in the current situation. Make conscious decisions and feel happy about them.
> Delegate times and set boundaries of your day to certain areas – for example: 5-8pm is time spent with kids, run errands once/twice a week, exercise before work.
> Cut back on expenses (even short term) on things you don’t necessary need right now – put that money aside for emergencies or something fun!
> Trust and delegate work environments – prepare and be organised for other staff to run the show while you are away.
> Get 6-8hours of unbroken sleep a night – if our bodies are not resting well, our mind cannot function well.
> Set a goal – “At the end of this 3 month block I will go away for a long weekend”.
> Remove guilt – have realistic expectations of yourself. Pat yourself on the back when you know you’ve done your best and you are managing things nicely. No one is superman/woman so ask for help when you need it.
> Lastly, book the trip! – get the ball rolling so that other steps will flow and it will all come together. Having something to look forward to keeps you motivated and excited when the grind of the day-to-day gets a bit much.
Take care of you, see you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
by Tanya Keam | Oct 29, 2015 | Alkaline, Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Gynaecological, Liver Health, Menstrual cycle, Nourishing, Seasonal living, Spring, Stress
SPRING into Spring !
Spring is the season of growth and transformation. We come out of the hibernation of Winter and move forward with bursting flowers, warmer weather and longer days of sunlight. There is a sense of renewal and new life all around.
While Winter was a time to conserve energy and reduce activity, spring is a time of regeneration, new beginnings, and a renewal of spirit.
Spring is the ideal time for cleansing and rejuvenation for overall health and well-being, as well as corresponding to the “Wood” element, which in turn is conceptually related to the liver and gallbladder organs. According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of energy movement throughout the body. When the liver functions smoothly, physical and emotional activity throughout the body also runs smoothly. We even feel like doing more exercise and being outside!
Imbalances that can occur during Spring:
Feeling frustrated, irritable, anger outbursts
Insomnia, restless sleep
Temporal headaches, migraines
Depression
Abdominal discomfort
Alternating bowel motions
Lack of motivation
A feeling like there is a lump in the throat
Premenstrual symptoms
Irregular, painful periods
Bitter taste in the mouth
Stiff joints
Dry mouth and throat
Ringing in the ears
Sore red eyes, blurry vision
Seasonal acupuncture treatments a minimum four times a year can serve to regulate the inner organ systems and can correct minor annoyances before they become health problems. Acupuncture can help improve the overall health of your liver as well as treat stress, anger and frustration, which are often associated with liver disharmony.
Stretch – The liver controls the tendons. According to Chinese medicine, the liver stores blood during periods of rest and then releases it to the tendons in times of activity, maintaining tendon health and flexibility. Incorporate a morning stretch into your routine. Try a local yoga class!
Eye Exercises – The liver opens into the eyes. Although all the organs have some connection to the health of the eyes, the liver is connected to proper eye function. Remember to take breaks when looking at a computer monitor for extended periods of time and do eye exercises.
Eat Greens – Green is the colour of the liver and of spring time. Eating young plants – fresh, leafy greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses – can improve the liver’s overall function.
Taste Sour – Foods and drinks with sour tastes are thought to stimulate the liver’s movement. Put lemon slices in your drinking water, use vinegar and olive oil for your salad dressing. Garnish your sandwich with a slice of dill pickle.
Do more outdoor activities – Outside air helps energy to flow. If you have been feeling irritable or stuck, find an outdoor activity to smooth out that liver stagnation. Try bush walking or take up swimming.
Enjoy milk thistle tea
Milk thistle helps protect liver cells from incoming toxins and encourages the liver to cleanse itself of damaging substances, such as alcohol, medications, pesticides, environmental toxins, and even heavy metals such as mercury.
Take care of you, see you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
