Essence & Qi

A blog by Pacific College

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Tai Chi in the Mainstream

Tai Chi, a centuries-old Chinese exercise system, is making its way into the Western mainstream. In ancient China, Tai Chi was a closely guarded secret passed down from family to family. In the 19th century it was revealed to the masses and quickly became the national exercise of China. Today, Tai Chi is practiced as a therapy and preventative remedy for almost every ailment. Together with Qigong, Tai Chi holds a prominent place in Chinese medicine to relieve stress and clarify the mind.

Read more…

12 Incredible Do-It-Yourself Health Tips from Acupuncturists

Are you curious to learn 12 do-it-yourself health tips that acupuncturists suggest to maintain ultimate levels of health?

Take a look at the first six here:

· Connect with people

· Breathe deeply into your belly

· Exercise

· Meditate

· Use a dry skin brush

· Stretch before bed

Read in-depth details about these tips (and other incredible tips) HERE !

After you’re finished reading, make sure to schedule an acupuncture appointment with one of our PCOM clinics . Don’t forget to put these 12 tips into action to ensure that you are at your optimal level of health!

Happy healing to all!

- PCOM

Time to Wake Up!

If there’s one button that most of us have pressed in our lives, it’s the snooze button. Getting out of bed is usually a daunting task and an extra five minutes of sleep can be more precious than pearls. Although repeatedly hitting “snooze” gives us more shut-eye, it can cause our mornings to be filled with unnecessary stress.

There are many ways to enhance your morning routine to ensure that you head to work feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day! Here are 10 simple ways to improve your day:

1. Get up 20 Minutes Earlier

This may not sound ideal, but getting up 20 minutes earlier can benefit you greatly. Imagine not having to rush through your morning routine and actually having some time to just wake-up. An extra 20 minutes of sleep is always glorious, but go ahead and try getting up earlier and feel the stress levels lower.

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2. Meditate and Set Intentions for the Day

In the a.m., find a quiet place where you can just “be.” Shut your eyes and clear your head. While tuning in to the quiet that surrounds you, visualize the day ahead of you. Meditating is a wonderful way to set intentions for how you want to carry out your day.

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3. Drink Hot Water With Lemon

A hot beverage is always comforting in the early hours of the morning. A number of us reach for a coffee, but try switching up your routine and drink a hot water with lemon. This is a much healthier alternative and is also known for activating digestion.

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4. Sit and Watch Nature

We are an on-the-go society. It seems as if we are always jumping from one thing to the next. Take a couple of minutes to step outside your back door and embrace nature. Taking in the surroundings and admiring the beauty of nature is stress relieving within itself.

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5. Do a Bit of Exercise

Exercise in the morning? Yes, it may sound like a struggle, but it’s also a great way to refresh your mind and body. There is no need for an intense work out. A simple nature walk (yes, walking around your block counts) can work wonders! A little bit of exercise in the morning stimulates your brain and boosts your energy levels.

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6. Always Eat Breakfast

A light breakfast is a smart way to begin your day. Your morning meal is crucial as it provides you with the vital energy to get you through your daily routine. Something as easy as a fruit cup or an English muffin with egg whites will do the trick.

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7. Make Your Lunch

Most of us can agree on the fact that lunch breaks are cherished parts of our workdays. Making your lunch before you go to work will ensure that you are able to enjoy your afternoon meal to the fullest. Bringing your lunch to work also means that you do not have to waste time deciding where or what to eat.

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8. Make Time to Write a To Do List

There is always so much to do in one day. A great way to alleviate the stress is to get organized. Take the time to write out a “to do” list. Sometimes putting a pen to paper is all the relief you need.

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9. Listen to Uplifting and Inspiring Music

Music has the power to heal! Put on your favorite song or listen to some relaxing music in the morning. It’s amazing how much better a song can make you feel.

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10. Be Grateful for All That You Have Each Day

It’s easy to focus on what you don’t have. Each morning, take the time to reflect on your life and the things that you do have. Being grateful for the goodness that surrounds you can leave you feeling inspired and happy. Of course, we all have our struggles, but there is always something to be thankful for in each day (even if it’s very small)!

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Did you know that Oriental medicine is highly effective to help with fertility issues? That’s because Oriental medicine makes a connection between the mind, spirit, and body. With modern biomedical research re-enforcing the effect that stress can have on the body (and fertility), this makes total sense.
So, try to de-stress the body to get ready for baby! Check out this article on how yoga can actually improve reproductive health:
http://www.ohbabymagazine.com/prenatal/yoga-for-fertility/

Did you know that Oriental medicine is highly effective to help with fertility issues? That’s because Oriental medicine makes a connection between the mind, spirit, and body. With modern biomedical research re-enforcing the effect that stress can have on the body (and fertility), this makes total sense.

So, t ry to de-stress the body to get ready for baby! Check out this article on how yoga can actually improve reproductive health:

http://www.ohbabymagazine.com/prenatal/yoga-for-fertility/

It’s The Friday Wrap-Up!

OM in the news this week!  Check it out!

  1. Massage Therapy Effective for Knee Osteoarthritis and More - from News Medical. Massage therapy can be effective for a variety of prevalent health conditions, including the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee, inflammation after exercise, chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia.
  2. Acupuncture Can Help Reduce Stress of Divorce - from the Huffington Post.  Going through something like a divorce can be stressful to say the least…here are 7 drug-free ways to help cope, including acupuncture.
  3. Sleep Tips Inspired By Chinese Medicine - from MindBodyGreen.com.  May is Better Sleep Month, so check out some of these tips for a better night’s sleep.
  4. East Meets West in the Pet’s Office - from The Foxboro Reporter.  Holistic Treatments are not just for people…see what they can do for your pet!
  5. Massage Relieves Chronic Pain - from American News Report.  Check out the 4 recent studies showing the health benefits of massage therapy.