Health
Why in the 21st Century I’m Turning to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Lifestyle
Traditional Chinese Medicine and lifestyle has changed my life and I urge everyone to discover it as well
Growing up in Asia, the Western standard of living and medicine have long been the benchmark of modernity and success for most of us. Starting from the discovery of Penicillin to the Pacemaker, Western medicine has long been the Mecca for the world to cure all illnesses. However in this high tech century, I am rediscovering the value of a more traditional way of life, taking a step back, reevaluating my life, the choices I make, and slowly turning to Traditional Chinese Medicine and lifestyle to ensure a balance of health and mental wellness.
Ever since I was little, my mother was never a strong advocate of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her go-to was definitely western medicine with the antibiotics, vitamins, and syrups that were ready to be prescribed by our pediatrician. I, on the other hand, have become my own woman and have found value in being an advocate for a more traditional approach to health such as acupuncture.
Acupuncture is believed to have originated as far back as 100 BC in China. It has come a very long way since then, unique in a way that nothing has really changed in terms of method and application however their usage serves a more varied purpose now. In the past acupuncture was used for strictly medicinal purposes but today, it has a wide array of implementation, among them weight loss and anti-aging. I for one can vouch for the anti-aging part, having been using it for myself for the past year, I could tell a difference in my face after only 4 sessions. My face contours were more defined and lifted, I looked 5 years younger as if I had discovered the fountain of youth. I highly recommend acupuncture. I swear by it and I definitely promote it to all my friends and family regardless if they ask me or not.
My obsession with acupuncture made me dive deeper into other Traditional Chinese Medicine which lead me to Lo Han Kuo, Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa, and most recently Mahjong, which according to studies can help prevent dementia reduces anxiety and can help with stress relief. Mahjong was invented in the 19th century. Why was it invented? I couldn’t find a real answer but if I had to take an educated guess some stay at home moms decided to play a game that can be played sitting down, to enable them to watch their babies next to them, and while waiting for a cake to bake, and voila! Mahjong was born. At first, I was intrigued and thought to myself could this be true? Where I come from, Mahjong is a game that grandpas and women of a certain age do while hanging out in the park or their local coffee houses to pass the time. So I did what a millennial would do, went online and tried a solitaire version of the game. Several minutes later, I can see why this game is good for the brain and am now hooked for life!
I’ve also rediscovered the magic of DimSum & Green Tea. Yes, Dimsum (a.k.a Yam Cha) these dishes are without a doubt delicious, but now that I’m in a certain chapter of my life, I enjoy Yam Cha not only for the delicious tiny bites and morsels but more for the intense labor of love and dedication it takes to serve that small portion of Har Gao, Shumai and other dishes that have come to be loved the world over. I appreciate the friends that accompany me in my Yam Cha journey more than the dishes themselves. Yam cha is so much more than a Sunday brunch or a weekend breakfast. It is a way of life, an enduring cultural heritage that needs to be preserved. Yam Cha on a Sunday morning is a chance for friends to catch up after a long week, for families to bond together and share laughter in a crazy world. Traditions do matter, I never understood why as a child I was dragged every weekend to our local Yam Cha place for Sunday brunches with my parents, which at that time seemed more like a chore than a privilege to me. Now having my own family, Yam Cha is indeed a privilege to have for me and my family.
An average time to have a Sunday brunch Dim Sum normally takes between 1–2 hours, depending on how many people you bring to the table. In today’s world where the news is updated every minute and every second, there is a new tweet or post on social, Yam Cha is a chance to hit the pause button, take a break and enjoy the company of what truly matters in the world, friends, and family.
I find that these small changes in my life have made a really big difference. I feel grounded, relaxed. I now take things slow and go with where the flow of life takes me, along the way I’m enjoying great Dim Sum, playing awesome Mahjong, and getting the best beauty treatment I've ever had in my life!
