Summer is officially here! Time to take a vacation, relax, and enjoy some fresh air. Fresh air is one of the foundations of good qi (pronounced “chee”), or energy, in traditional Chinese medicine. Qi is important for health and well being. Developing good qi comes from good food, good exercise, good sleep and good air!
The lungs’ job is to extract clean qi from the air and distribute that clean qi to the rest of the body. Thus, it’s vital to inhale clean “pure qi” (fresh air) and exhale the “dirty qi” (toxins, stress, negative energy).
According to an article published in the research journal Nature on June 13, 2019, a recent survey conducted by Britain’s Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE), showed people who spent a minimum of 2 hours a week in nature to be in better health and have more well being than people who did not. In the survey of 20,000 people, those who spent just 60-90 minutes in nature did not get any health benefit and those who spent more than 5 hours did not show more benefit than people who spent 2 hours outside.
This summer, whether you are on the beach or in the mountains, make sure you get some fresh air and inhale good qi.
Mary Nickel, L.Ac.
