Recently, we have entered the peak season for influenza, and many of you may have been affected. I’d like to take this opportunity to share how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) understands the concept of “being sick.”

I used to resist illness fiercely. Every time I caught a cold, I would break down, criticizing myself: “I’ve been so careful, how did I get sick again?” The discomfort of a stuffy nose and sore throat felt unbearable.

How Does Illness Arise?

Have you ever paid attention to how you get sick?

• “I ate too much cheese, and now my stomach feels bloated.”
• “I wore a thin jacket on a cold day and caught a cold.”
• “Stress from work gives me a headache.”

According to TCM, illness results from an imbalance of yin and yang due to various pathogenic factors. These causes are categorized into three types:

• External Causes: Environmental factors like wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire.
• Internal Causes: Emotional imbalances, dietary habits, and fatigue affecting organ function.
• Non-Internal/External Causes: Injuries, poisoning, parasites, and other pathogens.

The Balance of Righteous and Evil Qi

Not everyone exposed to these factors falls ill. TCM explains this through the balance between:

• Righteous Qi (Zheng Qi): The body’s ability to resist illness.
• Evil Qi (Xie Qi): Pathogenic factors causing illness.

When righteous qi is strong, the body recovers quickly. When weak, illness can take hold.

How to Enhance Righteous Qi

The Huangdi Neijing, a classic TCM text, emphasizes “tranquility and emptiness”—a calm mindset harmonizes qi, strengthening immunity.

Acceptance: The Key to Strengthening Righteous Qi

The most effective way to enhance righteous qi is to accept illness rather than resist it.

• “I don’t want to be sick!”
• “Being sick feels terrible; I just want to be healthy!”
• “I can’t just rest; I must fight this illness!”

But illness is a natural process. Instead of self-blame, listen to your body. It’s signaling a need for rest and recovery.

Daily Reminder

Whether sick or healthy, remind yourself:

“I am willing to spend time listening to what my body tells me. I can allow myself to be sick just as I allow myself to be healthy.”

And don’t forget to breathe! 😊