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Yang’ lifestyle is referring to the words ‘yin & yang’ the big forces in Chinese thinking that shape the universe. Everything is described by yin & yang. The day is broken into yin (night) and yang (day); and there are the yin-type-people and the yang-type-people, and for this example today we think of yin as passive/nourishing and yang as action/productivity.

Balancing yin & yang is the root of success in everything from the professional sphere to personal relationships. An imbalance between yin & yang leads to collapse in relationships, businesses and even civilizations.

Unsustainable Success & Yang Addiction

In the professional sphere doing whatever it takes to achieve your goals is considered necessary for success. Pushing ahead, skipping meals, chasing never-ending deadlines and working long days and nights, becomes a lifestyle. But it is a yang-dominant one and it will eventually lead to collapse.

Yang is highly addictive. It is power, it is exciting, it feels good and the more yang you get the more you want. But the consequence is that after a while you can’t stop, or rest or sit back. You can’t do ‘yin’ anymore and without yin nothing can stop that yang urge to keep going. Yang addiction could be considered a worse addiction than drugs and it has a much higher mortality rate from its side effects of heart disease, obesity, hypertension, insomnia, type-2 diabetes and dementia.

Balance as the Solution

This means a balance of action and passivity, and a balance of goal-setting for both inner health and outer wealth.

Straight Bamboo’s Top Five Tips to Nourish the Yin:

  1. Wake with first light and put the mind in the back-seat. First get into the body (exercise) and don’t switch working mind on (or check phone or computer) for at least 1-hour.
  2. Three hot cooked meals on time. Increase soups, stews and porridge in the meals.
  3. Midday rest. After lunch have a 15-30 minute rest.
  4. Switch the working mind off at 5pm.
  5. Go to sleep between 9-10pm. 7-8 hours sleep minimum.

For more on this topic and a leader in lifestyle medicine ideas check out Jost Sauer

About Alex

Alex Tan L.Ac is a licensed Acupuncturist.  After completing his degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Alex lived and practiced Chinese Medicine for 10-years in Beijing, China.  A native-born Australian, the son of his Australian mother and Chinese father, Alex’s bi-cultural heritage helps him skillfully bridge Eastern and Western health perspectives.  He believes the true power of Chinese medicine lies in a balanced approach towards prevention and treatment. Rooted in Chinese Medicine observation based theory & methodology over millenniums, Alex’s talent lies in delivering these Eastern healing modalities to his modern Western clients. For more about Alex click here

Alex runs a clinic in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona. Alex welcomes comments and questions to his articles. To schedule an appointment in person or telco-appointment click here

Alex Tan

Alex Tan L.Ac is a licensed Acupuncturist. After completing his degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Alex lived and practiced Chinese Medicine for 10-years in Beijing, China. A native-born Australian, the son of his Australian mother and Chinese father, Alex's bi-cultural heritage helps him skillfully bridge Eastern and Western health perspectives. He believes the true power of Chinese medicine lies in a balanced approach towards prevention and treatment. Rooted in Chinese Medicine observation based theory & methodology over millenniums, Alex’s talent lies in delivering these Eastern healing modalities to his modern Western clients. Click here for more about Alex.