In Chinese medicine theory, the lungs are partly responsible for protecting our body from being attacked by external influences. Often described as Wei qi or protective qi, our Wei qi protects the skin, nose, and mouth from external attack by viruses, colds, and germs. So, if the Wei qi is not strong, one can more easily catch a cold, which may last longer.
Learning Qi gong channel massage and practising breathing techniques are powerful methods that can help strengthen your body to fight the winter cold and flu season.
Chinese medicine is all about prevention; acupuncture and cupping are used to help reduce the severity of symptoms. Herbal medicine and food therapy go hand in hand to help with recovery and prevention, too.
Daily habits.
- Get enough whole foods into your diet, including fresh vegetables and fruit; the more you prepare, the less handling there is of food, and the better.
- Getting quality sleep is essential, so prioritise it with a routine that allows for at least 7-9 hours. So, if you are not sleeping well, find out why floating is an ideal place to start when it comes to improving your sleep quality.
- Find a breathing technique that is easy to learn and can be done anywhere. Practising breathing in the float tank is perfect as there is no better place to hear yourself breathe while floating in the quiet and darkness.
- Reduce stimulates like coffee, sugar, and alcohol to a weekly, not daily, habit.
- Enjoy some form of exercise daily, even a walk around the block.
- The simple ritual of washing our hands can also help and has saved many lives throughout history in medicine.
Reduce your stress by using float therapy.
Floating is one of the best non-activities to remove stress from your system; it may take a few sessions to learn how to relax. Still, once you know it can be one of the best therapies to switch stress off, which in turn can help take the pressure off your immune system, floating has a unique ability to remove stress from multiple areas of your mind and body all at the same time, the zero-gravity effect is profound.
Stress is a blessing and a curse. In short bursts, it can be a tremendous motivation. Still, in our current lifestyle, we live with underlining stress that we barely even notice anymore as it has been accumulating slowly over time. The last two years have highlighted the effects of stress on our mental and physical well-being and the importance of having a robust immune system.
Research has shown that stress hurts the quality of our sleep, which can impact our immune response.
Our health has become one of our highest priorities, and learning different ways to manage stress is high on the global wellness agenda.
Floatation therapy has been around since the 1960s when Dr John Lilly started researching sensory deprivation and its effects on the brain and mind; it has come a long way in understanding broader mental and physical benefits and, more recently, on the cellular level.
Michael Hutchinson wrote The Book of Floating in 1984, bringing attention to REST or the isolation tank. Michael shared the research on the various areas that floating can enhance and be used for, and his personal experience and insights sent a wave of interest through America. Michael wrote that “a person can strengthen their immune system “. He used the research from Dr John Turner and Dr Thomas Fine of the Medical College of Ohio, showing how floatation therapy can lower adrenaline levels in the body. “Stating that high cortisol levels are linked to several ailments, can depress the body’s immune system, and contribute to poor sleep. We are well away from just how critical sleep is to a healthy immune system; our immune system and sleep quality are linked to our mood and ability to deal with stress and anxiety. Floating can increase the time the brain spends in the delta and theta brain waves, both present during deep meditation and sleep, enabling our system to reduce adrenaline surging through it. Experiencing a reduction in stress and an increase in serenity. Michael also wrote, “Through a consistent program of floatation therapy, not only can we learn how to inhibit the release of certain harmful or unwanted biochemicals, but we can also learn how to stimulate the release of other highly desirable biochemicals.”
Mood and your immune system.
Are you aware of how your immune system also affects your mood? Have you ever noticed how emotionally flat you feel when feeling unwell? When you are tired and sick, you eat less, feel more fatigued and sleep more; this can affect the production of serotonin (happy hormone) levels in the brain, also leading to an increase in anxiety. By simply floating regularly, reducing stress in your body, and reducing cortisol levels, you can strengthen your immune system and improve your mood. Regular floating has been shown to increase serotonin levels, leaving people feeling more serene and at peace.
The more frequently you float, the faster and better the results. Consider a membership and reap the benefits.
