It’s that time of year again: the time when many of us engage in the practice of setting a new year’s resolution.

It seems, though, that hand-in-hand with new year’s resolutions is the prediction of inevitable failure. That as soon as you pick a resolution, you won’t actually make it through the whole year sticking with the new behavior, or that by the third week of January the resolution will be out of sight, out of mind. So, I wanted to offer some tips on how to join in the tradition in a way that might foster more success, by incorporating some wisdom from traditional Chinese medicine.

In traditional Chinese medicine, we take a holistic approach to healthcare and we want to treat causes not just symptoms. How does that apply here? Well, rather than focusing on a single, superficial measure of success like wanting to lose five pounds or wanting to look a certain way, consider selecting a resolution that affects how you will feel, instead of your outward appearance. 

Rather than trying to cut out all sugar from your diet, perhaps you look to Chinese medicine and instead commit to drinking more water and incorporating warming foods (like squash, legumes or ginger) into your diet to support your digestion, your kidneys and your bladder – the winter organs according to TCM. 

In TCM, water is the element of winter, which is said to store our reserves of energy. This time of year, with its shorter days and colder temperatures, is a time for rest and less activity, according to TCM. So, perhaps, in the wisdom of TCM, your resolution for the next few months might be to incorporate daily rest and sufficient sleep rather than trying to do or achieve more.

In the spirit of water’s fluidity, it is important to incorporate daily physical movement, but nothing too crazy. Find something that makes you feel good, not something that becomes a chore. Slow, restorative yoga is a good option as is taking a daily walk around your neighborhood.

Lastly, I like to think of resolutions more as intentions. Part of finding true health according to traditional Chinese medicine, is finding mental health. When you set an intention, it is less of an action or a task, and rather a phrase or idea that you can come back to in your mind throughout the day or throughout the year. It is something that will ground and guide you in times of stress or uncertainty. 

An intention can be something as simple as, come back to the present moment, or practice compassion. In these simple phrases, an anxious or worried mind can find something to come back to and rest on, whenever it needs. 

Setting a resolution or an intention can be a great way to foster growth and health, and the beginning of the year is a natural time to evaluate what we want to bring into our lives. But you don’t have to assume you will fail. Consider letting the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine guide you to set an intention that you actually enjoy incorporating into your life, and don’t be afraid to change it throughout the year, as you and the seasons naturally change too.

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Cleaning

Part of celebrating the Chinese New Year (February 19) involves cleaning. Traditionally, homes are cleaned before the New Year, but sweeping and dusting isn’t done until the third day after New Year out of fear that good fortune will be swept away. The floors can be swept, starting by brushing the dust and dirt towards the middle of the house or building. Once the debris is piled into the center, it’s moved to the corners where it remains until the fifth day, at which point it can be thrown out.

Decorating

Whether you intend on hosting an extravagant New Year’s Eve party with dozens of friends, or you plan on having a low-key evening with your family, you should decorate your home to reflect this ceremonial event. Some traditional decorative practices for the Chinese New Year include the use of red lanterns, couplets, door god designs, and images of the upcoming year’s Chinese astrology animal (hint: 2015 is Year of The Goat).

Fireworks

We can’t talk about ways to ring in the Chinese New Year without mentioning fireworks. This joyful practice is said to expunge the old year while welcoming the new one. Traditional belief is that all doors and windows should be left open on midnight New Year’s Eve so the old year can go out. Just remember to close them back once the celebration is over!

Don’t Wash Your Hair

If there’s one day you shouldn’t wash your hair, it’s on February 19. Traditional Chinese belief states that washing your hair on New Year’s will wash away your good fortune.                                  So put off  washing your hair until February 20!

Wear Red

When you’re choosing an outfit to wear on New Year’s, look for something red. Red is symbolic of happiness and longevity, and wearing it is believed to bring a similar future to the individual. This is the reason why you see so many people dressed in red during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Don’t Use Knives

Lastly, avoid using knives on New Year’s Day. You may find it difficult to prepare food, but traditional Chinese superstition states that using knives on February 19 “cuts” off a person’s good fortune (whether or not there’s any truth to these superstitions is debatable; but given the fact that people have followed these traditions for centuries, it’s probably a good idea to follow them!).

Photo Credit: ncburton on Flickr

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One of the perks of being born under the Chinese zodiac Goat is good health and well-being. As stated above, people who born in 2015, and other Goat years, are typically calm and cool-headed. This means they experience less stress and anxiety than others. And when you have lower levels of stress, you tend to experience fewer health problems. People who are born in the Year of The Goat also tend to prefer fresh, nutritious foods as opposed to empty-calorie processed foods, further boosting their health.

According to Chinese astrology, people born under the Goat work best when paired with partners who are born under the Horse. Some of the top careers for the Year of The Goat include pediatricians, nurses, doctors, teachers, musicians and florists.

It’s important to note that people born under the Goat tend to live private lives instead of placing themselves in the spotlight. They often prefer a quiet evening at home instead of attending public events. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all of their time is spent cooped up indoors, but Goats are humble people whom typically prefer a quiet, low-key night over public gatherings and events.

Here are some other fun facts about the Year of The Goat:

• Lucky colors include green, red and purple.
• Lucky numbers include 2 and 7.
• The Year of The Goat is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol.
• In addition to 2015, other years symbolized by the goat are 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1991, 2003, and 2027,
• Lucky flowers include carnation, primrose and the alice flower.
• Goats are most compatible with Horses, Rabbits and Pigs.
• Goats clash with Rats, Ox and Dogs.
• Located on the Pearl River, the city of Guangzhou is believed to represent the Goat.
• People who are born in a Goat year typically have successful careers.
• Earth (Tu) is the element associated with the Year of The Goat.

Photo credit: Paolo Camera

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