While many of us may have negative thoughts about rats, they have many positive traits including being adaptable, social, and clever. Those traits also make them great survivors! While I don’t generally follow horoscope predictions, I do like to read them out of curiosity, and I tend to cherry pick out the positive projections.
One of the predictions that stood out for me is this one:
“The Year of the Rat is a very good year for improving health.”
And also this one:
“People will want to take charge of their own health and there will a renewed focus on a
healthier lifestyle, as the Metal Element increases the dedication to self-improvement.”
Because the thing is, for most of us, getting healthy–and then staying healthy–takes some effort. There are those in the world who seem to be able to flout this. They can eat junk, smoke like chimneys, become Olympic-level couch potatoes, and even fill their bodies with the toxins of alcohol and drugs. People like Keith Richards and George Burns. They are/were genetically fortunate.
Live Long
Want to be lucky like them? Then you can up your odds by choosing long-lived parents. Oh, wait, I guess you can’t do that. And anyway, it’s unlikely you can extend your life beyond what your physiology will allow. However, you can choose ways to not speed up your deterioration and optimize the length and quality of your life!
Read my blog Self Care Isn’t Only About Chill Days and Spa Retreats for tips about healthy habits you can take on.
And note that I have re-instated package treatment options: 12 sessions or 5 sessions.
And Prosper
This year is also said to be a “Yang Water year with Yang Metal on top.” Since metal swords are made through an arduous process of heating and hammering, grinding and tempering–all with a ton of patience–this year will bring rewards to those who have struggled and suffered, overcoming obstacles and persevering, particularly when it is while standing up for their truths and for “doing the right thing.”
Metal and Water and Your Health
We all have areas of constitutional strength and weakness. You may rarely suffer from headaches, but get an upset stomach by just thinking about the “wrong” food.
This Year of the Rat is said to be one that leaves us feeling younger and livelier. Yay! Since the Metal element relates to the TCM Lungs, it’s predicted that our immune systems will be boosted, allowing us to recover faster if we get sick. This, despite the recent worries about the rise of the coronavirus (though currently in Canada, risk is still low and it’s thought not to be really that dangerous an infection even in comparison to the flu).
The take home point? Even if this year is one that bolsters your ability to fight infections, wouldn’t you be best served by keeping your immune system strong? Not just strong though. Also balanced. No one wants to struggle with allergies or autoimmune disorders. On February 2nd I’ll be at the 28th Annual Wellness Show to speak on ways to support a healthy immune response. If you can’t make it to that, ask me for ideas.
The Metal element also relates to the TCM Large Intestines, so if you suffer from an IBD like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), or other digestive issue like bloating, diarrhea, poor nutrient absorption, or constipation, it’s time to renew your treatment focus on that.
The Water element relates to the TCM Kidneys and Urinary Bladder. That supposedly means that those with kidney or urinary bladder diseases will have a bit of a reprieve–phew! To build on that, you can amplify the benefits by managing stress and thus relieving the pressures put on your adrenal glands that sit atop your kidneys and pump out stress hormones.
The prediction is that those suffering from insomnia should notice an improvement this year. If true, that’s good news for many of you!
It’s thought that areas of health challenge this year include water retention (edema), heart conditions, excessive bleeding by those on blood thinners, and digestive issues, particularly related to food intolerances.
Making the Most of the Year of the Rat
Like the industrious, communal, and persistent rat, we can all benefit from implementing healthy changes, seeking out help, and choosing daily habits that support our goals.
Click here to book in a TCM consultation or acupuncture appointment.
Happy 2020 Year of the Rat to you!