The influence of the Chinese zodiac on our health

AsI write this column, the year of the Tiger is bowing out to the year of the Rabbit. Having lived in Asia for many years I do miss all the celebrations for Chinese New Year and thought it would be fun to take stock of our health in regard to the Chinese animals.

Rabbit - Take things seriously and visit the doctor if a symptom worsens. Eating too little or too much can lead to urinary problems. Watch for anxiety and depression and let go of problems.

Dragon - Minor problems like insomnia, indigestion and chronic fatigue can show up along with minor accidents, from sharp knives to scissors, especially for Dragon children. Stay away from large bodies of water. Adult Dragons should take special care when driving.

Snake - Balance and breaks when needed. Snakes are extremely picky eaters so consider a balanced diet. Watch emotions, stress and anxiety. Stress relates to the heart, blood vessels and other organs. Women should pay attention to the urinary system.

Horse - Pay attention to the family’s physical and mental health. Watch for kidney and liver problems. Do not ignore minor symptoms and stick to a manageable routine.

Goat – Care and rest. You are not the healthiest of zodiac animals and are influenced by the seasons. Mindset is the biggest influence with frustration, stress and worry. You suffer from colds, sore throats, headaches, a runny nose, plus the risk of heart problems. Regular exercise is good.

Monkey – Harmonious year for health. You take a while to change with the seasons. Colds, sore throats are common and look after mental health. Connecting with friends and family and exercise are very beneficial.

Rooster –There aren’t any serious illnesses, but small problems are inevitable. Outside factors affect your health. Being picky eaters is common, even with food you like this can lead to digestive problems. Watch mood swings.

Dog –Resilient and healthy overall. The smallest cold can put you in bed for days. Be wary of influenza and contagious diseases during summer and autumn. Pay attention to your digestive system. Stress causes headaches and migraines. Taking breaks and relaxing activities such as yoga will help.

Pig - Take care of your health this year, you’re more likely to get injured, become sick or afflicted by chronic discomfort and need time off work. Adopt a healthy diet, don’t drink too much and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Do not ignore minor illnesses, indigestion and the common cold. This year, small health problems could turn out to be more.

Rat - Your energetic personality means you tire quickly. You catch colds often, but thankfully no serious illness. You are sensitive to change in temperature. Not only is cold weather unbearable you can’t stand hot weather. You perform hard, physical work and enjoy longevity. You can eat anything, be it delicacies or plain food. Do pay attention to your diet, often you forget to eat. Going long periods without food and suddenly bingeing causes digestive problems. Remember to eat breakfast, do moderate exercise and remain cheerful.

Ox – As workaholics, you go days with minimal food, rest, then binge on both. Irregular diets cause indigestion problems. Irregular exercise causes you to fall ill with “random” ailments. At middle age, there is a risk of heart disease and joint pain.

Tiger - Don’t overwork and socialise, balance is needed. Look after body and gut health. Tigers in their middle or senior years will need to be vigilant on the road. All Tigers are advised to exercise more to boost their usually robust constitution.

by Colette Garside

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