Boost Your Chi Naturally

By Maoshing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., Ph.D.

What is Chi? Chi is your life force, and it determines your energy level. Chi travels and circulates through the channels of our bodies, similar to the way water flows in a riverbed. When your Chi is weak, it stagnates in these channels instead of powerfully flowing. As you age, you may feel as though you no longer have the energy that you once had. Here below are some ways that you can pep up your energy and unblock your Chi.

Instant Chi-Boosting Activities

Try the following steps to ensure a good solid energy foundation:

Breathe deeply all day. Most people who are under a lot of stress or tension breathe shallowly, up in the throat area. When you breathe deeply into your lungs, you are naturally bringing in more oxygen and activating Chi in your body.

Learn to say no to Chi-robbers. These are activities or places that drain your energy and leave you feeling depleted. Some examples of Chi-robbing activities include watching excessive TV, experiencing too many negative emotions, talking too much, and spending too much time in crowded places.

Wear brightly colored clothing and listen to uplifting music to stimulate the flow of your Chi.

Surround yourself with the inspiring colors of beautiful flowers. A bouquet of flowers has a powerful influence on a person's mindset; they can uplift a less-than-lovely mood and even eliminate stress. In fact, one study showed that people who sat next to an arrangement of colorful flowers were better able to relax during a five-minute typing assignment than those who sat near foliage-only plants.

Have fun and be spontaneous! If you don't enjoy your day, then your energy will naturally become suppressed. Do something that you enjoy everyday. Start now and your Chi will follow.

Foods that Increase Your Chi

To have good Chi, your nutritional intake must consist of a balanced diet of grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, beans, fish, fowl, meat and fruits.

Foods and herbs that possess special Chi-fortifying properties include: brown rice, carrots, chicken, china root, eggs, fish, fox nut, ginseng, green beans, leeks, longan fruit, nutmeg, lamb, lotus seed, oats, onion, pearl barley, potatoes, pumpkin, soybeans, squash, string beans, tofu, turnips, and yams.

Also, keep in mind that to receive optimal benefits from food and herbs, it is crucial that you choose in-season, natural foods with no chemical additives or residues. Also, avoid overeating and under-eating because both will rob you of a consistent source of energy.

I hope that these tips perk you up and give you renewed energy. I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

Dr. Maoshing Ni, L.AC., D.O.M., PH.D., DIPL. C.H., DIPL. ABAAP

Dr. Mao is a Licensed Acupuncturist, a Diplomat of Chinese Herbology and a Diplomat in Anti-Aging. He is currently in general practice with special interest in immune, hormonal and aging related conditions. He was awarded the Outstanding Acupuncturist of the Year Award in 1987. Dr. Mao along with Dr. Dao, his brother and father, founded Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Santa Monica, California. He is currently director and a professor of Chinese medicine at Yo San University. Dr. Mao is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the AOM ALLIANCE, American Society of Acupuncturist, the American Association of Acupuncturist & Oriental Medicine and National certification Commission for Acupuncturist & Oriental Medicine Diplomat in Chinese Herbology.