From the perspective of TCM, many aspects of your vitality and wellbeing can be linked to the health of your Qi (pronounced ‘chee’), the life force energy that fuels all physical and mental activity.

Qi is a concept that’s unique to Chinese medicine. If you’re not familiar with it, here’s a quick video summing up what it is and why it’s considered so important in TCM.

Staying energised and balanced

TCM teaches that a healthy lifestyle is one that fosters the production and flow of Qi in the body by incorporating a nutritious diet, regular exercise, steady emotions and an appropriate amount of rest and relaxation. Head here to learn more about how to use these four pillars of good health to help you stay energised and balanced in the lead up to the end of the year – and beyond. For example, from the perspective of TCM, one aspect of making optimal dietary choices is to focus on foods that are appropriate for the season. Maddie goes into more detail in this video.

Our bodies are amazing vessels that give us the ability to move, shake, run, jump, dance and swim, and these inspirational individuals see no reason to stop moving forward as they get older. 

Avoid depleting your Qi

Consider taking a herbal tonic

The term tonic is used to describe herbs that are traditionally used to support the healthy functioning of a specific organ, body system or physiological process and to strengthen or improve its function when it’s weakened or not performing at its best.

A wide variety of herbal tonics have traditionally been used to support specific aspects of health and wellbeing in Chinese medicine. Other herbs are traditionally used in similar ways in Ayurvedic medicine and Western herbal medicine.

Here are a few key examples that you might like to consider this holiday season: Goji berries are traditionally taken to support vitality and to relieve fatigue and feelings of debility by acting as a kidney tonic in TCM Milk thistle is traditionally used as a liver tonic in Western herbal medicine, as well as to support gall bladder function and relieve symptoms of indigestion. It also supports the body’s natural liver detoxification processes

Get plenty of fresh air and stay active too

As mentioned above, exercise is a core part of a healthy lifestyle, so make sure not to skimp on it over the holiday period. Getting a good workout in on a regular basis will help keep you feeling your best physically and emotionally, and it might just help you burn off some of those sneaky party-season indulgences too. Between the longer days and the lovely weather, now’s the perfect time to take your training routine outdoors – and as an added bonus, exercising outdoors helps to energise your Qi too, as Maddie explains in this final video.