Joy, according to Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to the element Fire, and the related organ, the Heart. The Heart houses the Shen, the spirit that represents the overall vitality of the individual.

Joy promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood. It relaxes the mind and promotes the inner peace necessary for the activity of Shen and Qi. In case of “Heart Fire”, the mind is agitated, laughter can be excessive or without reason. We are then in a pathology, and no longer in the expression of a healthy joy.

Finally, the Heart is the emperor of all the organs. A joyful heart therefore impacts all the other organs, and our overall health.

Cultivating joy makes us the architect of our health!