February 12, 2021 is the Lunar New Year, traditional in many Asian countries including China, Vietnam, and South Korea. February 12 also introduces the Year of the Metal Ox, marking the end of the Year of the Metal Rat. Those with an interest in Chinese astrology may already know that some 2020 Rat predictions were just as unfortunate as the year turned out to be, and now, a new question looms: Will this Year of the Ox be lucky?
Read MoreMany people report that they fall asleep easily, but wake at the same time in the middle of the night. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you can't fall back asleep and wake up tired the next day. The concept of an “Organ Clock" in Chinese medicine is a useful tool in understanding why this occurs.
Read MoreMany patients ask me if acupuncture can help treat insomnia. The answer is an emphatic yes! Insomnia is typically characterised as an inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or waking up groggy in the morning.
I’m sure everyone has experienced this from time to time. Is there anything more frustrating than lying in bed staring at the ceiling knowing you should be asleep?
While insomnia can be temporary due to changes in schedule or new stresses in your life, hopefully it is not a persistent issue for you. Today I want to talk about chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia isn’t just frustrating; it can have a major impact on your quality of life and your health. Sleep may seem to be a period of rest for us, but for our body and brain it is a period of activity during which our bodies restore and rejuvenate.
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice of trying to create balance with the natural world in our interior spaces. It uses energy forces to create harmony between an individual and their environment. Lately it has gone very mainstream with Gwyneth Paltrow and Marie Kondo among its enthusiasts. To the uninitiated, Feng Shui can feel a little esoteric, but if you take the time to dig into the philosophy behind it, you'll find that it's not only based on simple common-sense practices that make our homes healthier and more organised, but it also reveals how connected we are to our homes—and in turn, how they can affect our mood and well-being.
Read MoreFollow these three steps, and you’ll find an ever-increasing sense of vitality, inspiration, and creativity. These are the keys to living a full, healthy, vibrant life and overcoming any situation of dis-ease
Read MoreData shows that eating less fibre, more saturated fat and more sugar throughout the day is linked with lighter, less restorative sleep. In one study, researchers tracked diet and sleep for a group of healthy adults over the course of five nights and found that indeed, food choices during the day did affect sleep. So what can you do to sleep more soundly?
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