6 Ways to Balance Yin and Yang in Your Daily Life

The Yin-Yang symbol is based on an ancient Chinese philosophy that is over 10,000 years old. It represents dual forces that are polar opposites, yet complementary to each other. The circular representation shows life, depicting the cyclical nature of energy. It moves fluidly from yin to yang and back to yin again, continuing over and over - never reaching stagnation, and never reaching its absolute. Yin is the passive female portion of the universe, characterized as female and sustaining and associated with earth, dark, and cold. Yang is the active male portion of the universe, characterized as male and creative and associated with heaven, heat, and light.

Achieving a Yin-Yang balance helps you to stay healthy, happy, and fulfilled - here are 6 ways to do so:

Immerse yourself in nature

Go outside for a walk. Better yet, purposefully walk somewhere surrounded by trees and nature. Recent studies have found significant health benefits associated with living near trees. Walking in nature is soothing and replenishing, and a great way to balance Yin and Yang in your body.

Satisfy your nutritional needs

Eat well, incorporating all the colors of various food groups. Get your nourishment from whole food nutrients in their natural, raw state. Don’t solely rely on supplements. Be kind to yourself and eat a pretty plate of colorfully delicious foods everyday. Replenish your body with plenty of water, and avoid too much caffeine. Get rid of toxic beverages and replace them with refreshingly, cool cucumber, lemon-infused water or other naturally flavored waters.

Move your body in a way that makes you feel good about yourself

Take up yoga, zumba, dance, snow skiing, biking, skydiving, rock climbing, white water rafting, or get a trampoline in your backyard. Have fun and live actively. This should be a source of joy - not a task for you to check off on your to-do list. Find a physical outlet that releases your pent up energies from the day, whether it's a fun, recreational activity you do alone or with others, or even if it's just hitting the gym -- get physical. As the yin and yang philosophy goes, one state-of-being should naturally flow into its sister component. Choose to replace stress with peace, calm and energy.

Treat your body to a massage. A massage should not be considered an extravagance, but a great way to restore inner peace. A massage helps you relieve the tension in your neck, back and shoulders that can easily accumulate over time.

Allow your body time to heal

Remember to also allow yourself adequate and restful sleep. This is crucial time that your body and mind need to heal and rejuvenate through rest. Take the care to create a proper sleeping environment. Be kind to yourself and allow your body time to replenish and heal. Many people also receive acupuncture, an ancient, holistic medical procedure, to help speed up the healing process.

Put down your phone

Do yourself a favor and momentarily disconnect from the distractions of technology. This is not only a good idea to possibly prevent future health issues, but also a good practice to allow you some time to truly connect with the world around you in a way we seem to miss every day. Focus on what is truly important in your life.

Alleviate tension, stress and anxiety

If you are searching for a way to alleviate anxiety, try meditation, yoga or tai chi. Tai chi is a graceful exercise that cultivates peace of mind through gentle, flowing movements. If any of that seems like a bit much, just try to set aside some time where you decrease or eliminate external distractions. If inside the house, keep the TV and radio off and just sit for a while, alone with your thoughts; don't do any chores. If sitting and doing nothing is something you find challenging, pick up a book and just give yourself that time. While driving, try to do so without the radio turned on. 

Breathing meditations can also help you relax. Breathing deeply physically calms you to the core of your body. It reminds you to calm your mind. It helps you practice mindfulness - deeply inhale while counting, focusing only on the present and nothing more.

Namaste.