Tending to Your Health
I was recently watering a plant I had not taken good care of and thinking about how our bodies are similar to plants—we experience growth and deterioration throughout our lives.
This plant, a hibiscus, usually grows outside, directly in the earth because it needs lots of water and sunshine to be its best self. I chose to plant it in a pot and place it on my balcony so I could enjoy its flowering beauty in a new setting. I knew this wasn’t the best idea, but as we do, I ignored my gut feeling and decided to go for it. I chose a large pot and placed it in direct sunlight, and I waited for it to flourish and bloom.
Most of us live much of our lives trying to manage a situation that is not optimal. We know we’re not living the ideal, but we tell ourselves we can do it. Like this plant, we end up finding we are not set up for a healthy life full of growth. I got busy with work and family, and I neglected to properly care for my hibiscus. It didn’t receive the lifegiving water it needed, the nourishing fertilizer, and when the sun shifted in its path, even essential light was lacking. The flowers not only failed to bloom, but they were drying on the stem, and dropping off. I paid closer attention to what was occurring, but I continued the neglect, with a headful of excuses. Soon, the leaves were drooping, the overwatered stems grew yellow, and finally an infestation of bugs. I quickly tried to reverse all of this damage with fertilizer, spraying and praying, when I realized that I couldn’t undo what had been done. This is too often how we treat our bodies. If you came into this world blessed with health and a strong constitution, you can endure unhealthy choices and circumstances longer than a weaker or older individual, but you, too will eventually suffer from neglect. When we feel run down, losing our luster and “dropping leaves”, we usually continue with our self-abuse. Attempts to reverse the damage done by exercising more, radically changing our diet or trying out fad remedies actually add harm as we worry and scurry about looking for an answer.
When we feel ourselves beginning to droop and wither we seek out quick fixes from a sugar rush or a caffeine high. These actions only cause inflammation, insomnia, headaches and further weakness and diminished health. The next move is too often to take antibiotics or a weight loss pill which only compromises us more.
Then, like with a neglected plant, the invaders find us. The opportunistic bugs—viruses, bacteria, and disease—have found a weakened and easily conquerable host.
An Ounce of Prevention
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we say “Why dig a well when you are already thirsty?” TCM directly treats opportunistic illnesses and invading diseases, but we focus on your overall health and constitution so that you have the foundation from which to fight off pathogens. Being an attentive caretaker of the beautiful plant you are growing (your body!) is the key to your present and continued health.
Preventative medicine includes healthy eating, balanced exercise, good sleep and avoiding excess stress. Maintaining your health allows you to prevent future medical problems and avoid expensive and scary hospital stays. Mental and emotional well-being plays a big part in your health. When we have goals to work toward, activities to look forward to and a firm belief in ourselves, our physical health is improved. Our mind feeds our body and makes us strong.
“The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second-best time to plant a tree is today.”
Setting long-term goals for our future should include our health and how we think we’d like to feel at 80. Youth and the health you now have will unfortunately not last forever. Don’t wait to address issues when you “have more time”. By then, it may be too late.
Strive to be a thoughtful gardener and tend to your growth and health every day. Consultations and appointments to discuss long-term health strategies are available at Acupuncture by Andrea.