Answers.com defines homeostasis as the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes. What exactly does that mean? Homeostasis is when your body is in balance.

Balance is a word that is not uncommon these days and sometimes I think people misinterpret the word. The Chinese use a symbol of balance called the yin yang. The yin yang is really the foundation of Chinese Medicine. The yin yang is two equal halves of white and black with smaller circles of the opposite color inside the half. You might notice that the halves are not cut right down the center, rather in a more fluid motion. This is meant to symbolize the fluidity of balance. Yin is often classified as being more cool, feminine, dark, and heavy wereas yang is seen as being more hot, masculine, bright, and light. The image of the yin yang is meant to explain the interconnectedness of life. Yin is not better then yang or vice versa. The two need each other to exist. The image of balance is yin at its greatest becomes yang, yang at its greatest turns back into yin.

In terms of your body what exactly does this mean? Well for starters balance isn't a state your body reaches and then the work is over. Maintaining your body's equilibrium means moving fluidly through life's transitions, flowing rather then fighting. For many people change is hard, fighting change is one way to knock the body's nature balance. The farther we get away from nature the harder it can be to access our bodies' innate wisdom to maintain balance. We know the only constant in life is, in fact, change. The day (yang) turns into night (yin). Summer (yang) turns into fall (yin). When we follow the rhythms of nature by adapting our habits to reflect the environment around us i.e. wearing less clothing in the summer, more clothing in the winter, eating richer foods in the winter and lighter foods in the summer, sleeping more in the winter and less in the summer our bodies know how to adapt without effort.  

If you are noticing signs that your body is having trouble finding homeostasis you might take a minute to try these things.

1. Take a time out! If you can't get outside, get to a window and take even 2 minutes to notice the outside world, plants, clouds, weather etc.

2. Take a deep breath! When the body is stressed the breath can become shallow and rapid signaling to the brain that your body is in a state of stress, deep breathing is a simple way to alert the brain and body that all's clear, the stress is over.

3. Eat foods that are alive and in season! Eating foods that are grown and not processed have more energy that your body knows what to do with. If food on the shelf can live longer then you can don't eat it!

4. Drink water! Our cells need water for every physiological function especially weight loss. something needs to carry that fat out of the system.

5. Think with your heart. Spend sometime with puppies or children. When we care for others and extend unconditional love it balances our hormones.

Depending on many factors and especially for prevention you might consider receiving an acupuncture treatment to enable your body to entrain to the natural rhythms within and around you.


For more information on how Chinese Medicine or Massage Therapy can benefit you visit us at www.wholehealthprograms.com

Whole Health Acupuncture
60 Turner Ave
Elk Grove Village IL 60007
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