Taoist immortality traditions generally place great emphasis on a disciplined, harmonious way of living, in which diet, conduct, and inner practice all serve the preservation and refinement of jing, qi, and shen. Across lineages, one finds a shared stress on moderation: avoiding extremes in food, sex, work, and sleep so that essence is not squandered and the spirit remains clear. Regular daily rhythms, with consistent times for rest, practice, and meals, are valued as a way of aligning the human body with natural cycles. Emotional regulation is treated as a form of subtle hygiene, since anger, fear, and other turbulent states are understood to scatter qi and disturb the organs. A quiet, orderly environment, reduced sensory overload, and simple, honest conduct are likewise seen as supports for inner stillness and spiritual clarity.

Dietary teachings in these schools are usually framed as “nourishing life” rather than as rigid dogma. Practitioners are often encouraged to eat simple, natural, seasonal foods—grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes—while avoiding overeating and heavy, late meals. Many traditions recommend reducing or eliminating meat, especially rich or heavy meats, and limiting alcohol, strong stimulants, and overly spicy or greasy foods that can create internal heat and disturb the spirit. Some lineages also speak of avoiding certain pungent foods and favoring herbs and tonics such as ginseng or reishi-type mushrooms, always with the aim of supporting the three treasures rather than chasing quick results. More specialized methods, such as temporary fasting or grain-avoidance regimens, appear in some inner alchemy systems as advanced practices to “lighten” the body, but classical sources consistently warn against extremes undertaken without proper guidance.

Lifestyle guidelines extend beyond diet to encompass the whole pattern of daily conduct. Sexual moderation or, for some, celibacy is regarded as a key means of conserving reproductive essence, with an emphasis on restraint rather than repression and on relationships grounded in respect rather than obsession. Regular qigong, taijiquan, or related movement arts are used to circulate qi, while meditation and inner alchemy practices refine jing into qi and qi into shen. Attention to posture, breathing, and contact with nature—sunlight, fresh air, walking in natural settings—further supports this process. Underlying all of these instructions is the conviction that ethical behavior, simplicity of life, and a calm, well-ordered mind are not merely moral ideals but practical conditions for the gradual transformation that Taoist immortality teachings describe.