Everyday Habits That Causes Yang Deficiency and How to Fix Them

Poor Habits That May Cause Yang Deficiency

Diet

Food is an important aspect of TCM. In TCM theory, different types of foods have different properties, all which can affect your body differently when consumed. In this case, Yin, or cooling foods, can cause your body to use up its Yang energy, leading to Yang deficiency. In Singapore, we tend to consume a lot of iced drinks to combat the warm weather. Other foods such as raw foods and salads are also cooling in nature.

To balance this out, it is important to consume warming foods such as warm soup, ginger or chicken. This will help to counteract the “coldness” in your body. Overall, it is important to reach a balance and consuming these foods in moderation is key.

Physical Inactivity

Many Singaporeans lead sedentary lifestyles, spending many hours seated in front of a screen, as well as having a lack of physical exercise. Yang is the body’s active energy. When the body does not move, blood circulation worsens and Yang in the body stagnates.

Sleep Deprivation

Singapore is one of the most sleep-deprived nations globally, with an average sleep duration of 6.5 hours compared to the global average of 7 to 7.5 hours a night. Poor bedtime habits such as “doomscrolling” or revenge bedtime procrastination lead to later sleeping hours, resulting in a struggle to have a good night’s sleep. Night is Yin time, essential for repairing Yin and conserving Yang. Chronic sleep deprivation forces Yang to be active when it should be resting, leading to its depletion.

In TCM, it is recommended to sleep at 11pm, because this aligns with the body’s natural meridian clock, allowing your body’s organs to recover promptly. Constantly sleeping after 11pm or having insufficient rest damages the Yang energy, causing Yang deficiency.

Over-Exertion

In TCM, over-exertion, whether physical, mental, or emotional—is a primary pathway to Yang deficiency. Think of your Yang energy as the body’s inner fire, powering warmth, movement, and metabolism. When you consistently push beyond your limits, you burn through this vital energy faster than it can be replenished. Over time, the deep reserves stored in the Kidneys—the root of your body’s foundational warmth—become exhausted. Without sufficient Yang to warm and activate your systems, you may experience persistent coldness, low energy, sluggish digestion, and a feeling of being "burnt out." In essence, chronic overdoing doesn't just tire you out—it gradually cools your inner fire.

Types of Over-Exertion That Deplete Yang:

• Physical Over-Exertion: Extreme athletic training, manual labour, or chronic physical stress without recovery.
• Mental/Emotional Over-Exertion: Constant worrying, over-thinking, stressful deadlines. In TCM, this damages the Spleen (which produces energy from food), weakening Yang at its source.