Nourishing Life │ 養生

Rest

When do you experience restorative rest throughout your day? Week? Month? Year?
How’s your sleep quality & quantity?
What drains your reserves?

Move

How often and when do you exercise?
What areas of your body feel tight, weak− or just right?
How are you moving your body in delicious and consistent ways?

Connect

How are your relationships?
How are you experiencing & expressing LOVE for yourself? Your work? Your family/ community? Your natural environment?

Nourish

How/ what do you normally eat?
How’s your digestion?
Which foods/ eating habits nourish you?
Which foods/ eating habits harm you?

Create

How do you reflect on life experiences?
How do you vision & manifest your future?
What creative practices nourish you?

Your daily choices nourish your life.

Nourishing life (養生 yang shen) is a foundation of health in Chinese culture. Balance rest and activity, move with intention, celebrate what you love, eat with the seasons, and reflect on this gift of life. This Five Elements Lifestyle Medicine guide helps you weave intentionality into your daily rhythms, and walk in beauty.

Rest


Sleep well, savor solo time, and take breaks.


Quality sleep Honor your optimal sleep and wake time Start winding down your day at least 1 hour before your desired bedtime with a peaceful evening ritual. Turn off your phone/ computer, then do something relaxing, such as stretching, reading, journaling, or listening to soothing music Sleep hygiene: create a restful space for sleeping


Restful Solo Time Meditation/ reflection/ “simply being” in silence Schedule in at least one unscheduled “day of rest” each week


Take Breaks Take 5-minute work breaks at least once an hour, such as stretching or walking

Move


Move everyday in fun and delicious ways, balancing strength and flexibility.


10-minute daily walk (at least) Daily morning/ evening movement practice Yoga (i.e. 3 sets of sun salutations every morning, or yin/ restorative yoga every evening) Swimming is a wonderful low-impact full-systems exercise. Also consider dance, jogging, biking, surfing, hiking, etc.

Connect


Love in, love out. Connect with yourself, nature, and community through meaningful work, quality time outdoors, and nourishing relationships.


Self-Connection Meaningful work that aligns your gifts, values, and interests, offers opportunities for growth, and benefits your community and our planet Sense of purpose & progression towards goals Balancing work + play= Prioritizing values + Time management


Community-Connection Reciprocity in nourishing family & intimate relationships Mentoring and being mentored Rituals and celebrations


Nature-Connection Time outdoors (ie. walking, sit spot, adventures) Relationship with place. Cultivating gratitude. Gardening (ie. house plants, mints, air plants, succulents)

Nourish


Eat a local and seasonal whole foods diet that’s right for you, with well-balanced colorful meals, integrated herbs and spices, and intentional eating times and practices.


Make simple home-cooked meals Reduce processed foods, sugars, trans fats Intentional “brain food” with information intake Eat at regular times Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime Slow down, and enjoy your meal!

Create


Live life as art. Regularly reflect on your life through creative practices like writing, drawing, movement, and vocalization.


“Morning Pages”: 1-3 pages of freeform writing/ drawing every morning Ritual reflection & manifestation: weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly Shape & stillness

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Jiling Lin, L.Ac.

Acupuncture . Herbs . Art

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