TCM: Feelings and Well being

Welcome to this text sequence on Conventional Chinese language Drugs (TCM). The intention of this sequence is to offer you foundational and sensible information of TCM that you should utilize to enhance your individual well being at residence in every day life. The suggestions on this sequence are easy, accessible, and largely free. In any case, good well being needs to be one thing that’s accessible to everybody!

Here’s a clickable desk of contents for this sequence:

This text is Half 11: Feelings and Well being.

Query: Do our feelings have an effect on our bodily well being?

Up to now, I used to suppose that our bodily physique is completely separate from our emotional life. In any case, every time I get sick, I take a tablet that adjustments physiological components. Nobody ever advised me to handle my feelings to deal with well being issues.

Later, I discovered that our feelings are certainly associated to our bodily well being. For instance, it’s normal information in western drugs that anger raises blood strain, and stress weakens the immune system. From a Chinese language drugs perspective, feelings play an enormous position in our well being. I am at the moment studying The Foundations of Chinese language Drugs by Giovanni Maciocia, and chapter 20 of this ebook actually opened my eyes to the connection between feelings and bodily well being.

The ebook mentions that exterior pathogenic components like warmth, chilly, and wind need to undergo our pores and skin and muscular tissues earlier than they will have an effect on our inner organs, however feelings injure the interior organs straight. To be clear, Chinese language drugs isn’t saying feelings are unhealthy, nor does it over-emphasize the position of feelings. Within the Chinese language drugs perspective, feelings inside sure quantities are wonderful and regular, however they will change into causes of illness when they’re lengthy lasting, intense or each. In different phrases, feelings change into causes of illness after we can not management them they usually as an alternative management us. Beneath are some examples of feelings and their affect on our well being from chapter 20.

(Disclaimer: This text isn’t meant to be medical recommendation or prognosis. It’s purely for academic functions to assist us perceive the significance of managing feelings for our well being and strategies to take action.)

The time period “anger” needs to be interpreted broadly to incorporate related feelings akin to resentment, irritability, frustration, rage, hatred, bitterness, and repressed anger. An individual who has continual or intense anger might expertise signs akin to complications, dizziness, tinnitus, pink face, and stiff neck.

If an individual often will get indignant 1-2 hours after meals, then anger will have an effect on the intestines and may trigger signs like belly ache, distention, and altering between constipation and diarrhea.

In Chinese language drugs, completely different feelings have a major organ that they have an effect on. All feelings have an effect on the Coronary heart, and anger primarily impacts the Liver. The Liver has a help position in digestion, which is why getting indignant after meals hurts digestion. Every organ additionally has a meridian (channel) of factors that acupuncturists and therapeutic massage therapists use to deal with sufferers.

The third level on the Liver meridian known as Taichong, and it’s a good acupoint that we will therapeutic massage at residence to alleviate the signs of anger.

The time period “pleasure” on this case isn’t a wholesome state of contentment however fairly considered one of extreme pleasure and craving. Contentment is wholesome and helps the thoughts be peaceable and relaxed, which advantages the physique’s digestion and immune system. Examples of issues that result in extreme stimulation embrace issues like leisure medicine, alcohol, promoting, ambition, and even intercourse.

Overstimulation primarily impacts the Coronary heart and may result in signs akin to coronary heart palpitations, over-excitability, insomnia, restlessness, and relentless speaking. Some folks get migraines after the sudden pleasure of listening to thrilling information. Generally, sudden laughter triggers a coronary heart assault. Kids who get overexcited can find yourself in tears. These are all examples of the hurt of overstimulation and over-excitement.

Disappointment consists of the feelings of grief and remorse (when you’ll be able to’t cease enthusiastic about a previous mistake). Disappointment primarily impacts the Lungs and Coronary heart, and it might result in signs akin to breathlessness, tiredness, discomfort within the chest, despair, and crying. 

Disappointment may also have an effect on the Ethereal Soul (you’ll be able to consider it as a element of our psychological well being), which may result in signs akin to psychological confusion, despair, missing a way of route in life, incapability to plan one’s life, and anxiousness.

The seventh level on the Lung meridian known as Lieque, it’s a good acupoint that we will therapeutic massage to alleviate unhappiness.

Fear is likely one of the commonest emotional causes of illness in our society. It primarily impacts the Lungs and the Spleen (in Chinese language drugs, the Spleen is answerable for digestion, and it consists of some features of the pancreas and liver within the western drugs sense).

Fear may cause signs involving the Lungs, akin to an uncomfortable feeling of the chest, slight breathlessness, tensing of the shoulders, a dry cough, weak voice, and a pale complexion.

Spleen signs embrace poor urge for food, slight epigastric (higher center space of the stomach) discomfort, belly distention (feeling bloated), tiredness, and pale complexion. Chinese language drugs explains that the thoughts and bodily physique are interconnected, and the state of our organs have an effect on the state of our thoughts. When the Spleen is wholesome, we will concentrate on the item of our research or work. When the Spleen is disturbed by fear, it results in fixed considering, brooding, and worrying about sure occasions in life.

Fear may also have an effect on the Coronary heart, resulting in palpitations, a sense of tightness within the chest, and insomnia.

The acupoint Lieque (talked about earlier) can be a great acupoint to take care of fear.

Pensiveness is much like fear, however it’s extra about brooding, always enthusiastic about sure occasions or folks (with out worrying), nostalgic hankering after the previous, and usually considering intensely about life fairly than residing in it. Calm contemplation is ok, but when this contemplation turns into extreme, then it might change into pensiveness. In excessive circumstances, pensiveness results in obsessive ideas. In a distinct sense, pensiveness may also seek advice from extreme psychological work within the course of of 1’s work or research.

Pensiveness primarily impacts the Spleen and may trigger signs akin to poor urge for food, epigastric (higher center space of the stomach) discomfort, and belly distention (feeling bloated). Pensiveness may also have an effect on the Coronary heart and result in palpitations, a slight feeling of tightness within the chest, and insomnia.

The third level on the Spleen meridian known as Taibai, and massaging it’s a good solution to take care of pensiveness.

Concern consists of each continual concern and a sudden fright. Concern primarily impacts the Kidneys and the Coronary heart.

If the Coronary heart is robust, then concern will trigger Qi (power) to descend, which may result in signs akin to involuntary urination, bedwetting, and diarrhea. If the Coronary heart is weak, concern could make Qi rise, resulting in signs akin to warmth within the face, night time sweating, palpitations, dry mouth and throat, and malar flush (a rash on the nostril and cheeks).

The ninth level on the Kidney meridian known as Zhubin, and massaging it’s a solution to take care of concern.

Additionally, nourishing the Liver and Gallbladder can assist an individual be much less fearful. This may be carried out by managing stress, massaging their respective meridians, sleeping earlier than 11PM, and consuming leafy greens.

Shock causes a sudden depletion of Qi, makes the Coronary heart smaller, and should result in palpitations, breathlessness, and insomnia.

The seventh level on the Coronary heart meridian known as Shenmen, and massaging it might assist take care of shock. Additionally, since all feelings have an effect on the Coronary heart, Shenmen is an effective level to make use of in all emotional issues.

Here’s a image to summarize the above talked about acupoints:

(Observe that these are not at all an exhaustive record. A TCM skilled would be capable of make knowledgeable judgment on which factors are most suited to every individual’s distinctive scenario.)

The above data is from the textbook The Foundations of Chinese language Drugs. Now that we all know the affect of feelings on our bodily well being, we most likely need to know some strategies for managing our feelings. This textbook does not go into element on this side, however I beforehand learn one other textbook that does. The ebook known as Chinese language Drugs Well being Upkeep (the ebook is in Chinese language, and its Chinese language title is 中医养生学) by Guanglie Ma (马烈光) and Lisheng Jiang (蒋力生), and chapter 4 is all about nurturing  the thoughts and regulating feelings.

The ebook says that nurturing the thoughts is the core of well being upkeep in Chinese language Drugs (that is an enormous distinction from western drugs!), and that if one’s thoughts is effectively cared for, then one’s feelings and organs will probably be in concord, and one may have a protracted, wholesome life. How will we nourish the thoughts? By cultivating our morality and virtues, thereby making us much less reactive to exterior circumstances and higher in a position to maintain a constructive and relaxed angle in life.

(Facet be aware: I used to be fairly fascinated once I learn this as a result of I’m finding out historic philosophies, and historic philosophers all emphasize the significance of cultivating morality and virtues, however I used to be not anticipating historic Chinese language medical doctors to do the identical! However as soon as I understood the affect of feelings on our bodily well being, it completely is smart.)

Particularly, the ebook offers 5 strategies to nourish the thoughts:

1. Have a sort coronary heart

2. Have a transparent conscience

3. Typically do good deeds

4. Cut back needs

5. Typically mirror on one’s ethical cultivation

Icon Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

By at all times holding kindness in our coronary heart, we will preserve concord with different folks. Naturally then, we’d be free from fear and have a contented frame of mind, which promotes longevity. To be able to nurture our kindness, we must always regularly put ourselves in different’s footwear.

• Once we see different folks struggling or sad, we will empathize with them, then we might naturally need to assist them be happier identical to we might need ourselves to be completely happy.

• Once we see different folks’s goodness, we will discover and really feel how completely happy and peaceable their coronary heart is from being a great individual, after which we will encourage ourselves to emulate them.

• Once we see different folks’s immoral conduct, we must always attempt to perceive why they might do such conduct. Then we would not be so vital and harsh. As an alternative, we’d attempt to affect and encourage them to vary by setting a great position mannequin ourselves.

Individuals who do not do immoral issues, akin to harming others out of anger or envy, or dishonest others for one’s personal achieve, may have a transparent conscience. They don’t have anything to cover, so that they at all times really feel comfy. Individuals who do immoral issues will usually dwell in concern of being uncovered or of shedding what they gained.

Individuals who usually assist others and do good deeds have an enormous coronary heart. These persons are often very constructive and completely happy, and they’re not often troubled by fear, anger, and different destructive feelings. Doing good deeds can catalyze the goodness we’ve got inside us, serving to us to really feel heat and nice, in addition to alleviate our stress and destructive feelings. Alternatively, having a small coronary heart and solely caring about oneself will solely improve one’s destructive feelings and hurt one’s well being.

In chapter 19 of the Dao De Jing, the Daoist thinker Laozi recommends us to “protect simplicity and scale back egocentric needs.” Simply to be clear, lowering egocentric needs isn’t the identical as having no needs. The which means right here is to dampen our needs for issues like status (desirous to look good in others’ eyes), wealth, and sensual pleasures (sights, sounds, smells, tastes, contact).

When needs are extreme and we over-indulge in them, that can hurt our well being. Those that have sturdy and ample needs are by no means contented. Their thoughts is stuffed with ideas and agitation, ensuing of their thoughts and spirit by no means being comfy.

Alternatively, if we overly strain ourselves to dam all needs, then that may create emotions of gloominess and despair. Thus, the Center Approach is essential. Wishes and feelings should be in an acceptable quantity and tempered with purpose and rationality. Once we reasonable our needs, our thoughts and spirit can relax and change into tranquil, which then brings concord and peace to our thoughts and physique.

The above talked about factors all relate to cultivating our ethical character. These are all good for our psychological and bodily well being. One other vital side is frequent self-reflection.

A terrific position mannequin is Zengzi, who’s a pupil of Confucius. He stated,

Equally, we will set a time every single day to self-reflect on whether or not our actions, speech, and ideas at the present time accords with our conscience and meets our aspirations for ourselves.

The above are methods to extend constructive feelings like contentment, peace, and serenity. However in life, we’ll all encounter troublesome conditions and have sturdy destructive feelings. How can we regulate our feelings when this occurs? The ebook offers us 4 main strategies:

1. Shift your focus

2. Reframe the scenario

3. Get remedy and steering

4. Apply deep respiration

When we’ve got sturdy destructive feelings, akin to fear, annoyance, gloominess, despair, anxiousness, and concern, it is easy to get sucked right into a destructive spiral. If we simply inform ourselves to cease enthusiastic about it, it feels exhausting. But when we will change our surroundings and/or shift our focus to one thing extra constructive, then we’ll naturally cease enthusiastic about it. It is vital to make use of wholesome distractions, akin to taking part in an instrument, chess, studying, drawing, or exercising. Most of these actions assist to lift our spirits and calm our minds. As soon as we’re calm, we will face the scenario extra rationally.

Conditions get us down due to the best way we view the scenario and ourselves. We might view ourselves as victims of circumstance. However truly, circumstances are impartial in nature, it’s our beliefs that give them the label of “good” or “unhealthy”. For instance, some folks get down within the face of issue, whereas others use that issue to inspire them to enhance themselves and check out even tougher. We are able to reframe the scenario and inform ourselves that we’ve got to make use of this issue to change into stronger, and that we will positively do it.

One other solution to reframe the scenario is to take the next and longer perspective on issues. Once we zoom out, our issues will appear a lot smaller. What number of occasions have we made an enormous deal out of one thing up to now, however after just a few weeks, months, or years, we already forgot about it? If we did not get one thing we wish, fairly than obsessing over it, we will take into consideration different methods to achieve the identical finish purpose. So long as we persevere, we’ll positively discover a manner. These are all methods of reframing our mindset to recuperate calm and hope.

When we’ve got sturdy destructive feelings, it may be very useful to hunt remedy or recommendation from knowledgeable or from somebody whom we belief is smart and type. They may give us consolation, hope, and encouragement in our time of want. They will additionally present us with helpful knowledge and recommendation that we will not consider by ourselves to raised resolve our issues.

Remark: In my expertise, historic philosophical teachings provide marvelous remedy and steering for our emotional issues. For instance, previous philosophers educate us that when issues do not go the best way we wish, we should mirror on ourselves fairly than blame others or exterior components. Which means reflecting on our contribution to the issue and specializing in what’s in our management (our ideas and actions) fairly than demanding what’s exterior our management (different folks and circumstances) to vary. Such teachings assist us to let go of amassed frustration and direct our power in the direction of a constructive, helpful, and productive route.

Training deep, sluggish respiration can assist us to chill out the thoughts and nourish our spirit. It is even higher if we will apply deep respiration exterior in contemporary air.

Remark: The textbook did not have an excessive amount of on this part, however it’s straightforward for us to discover a guided respiration meditation on-line.

Everyone knows the significance of meals, train, and sleep on our well being. However in western drugs, the affect of feelings on our well being isn’t emphasised practically as sufficient accurately. Comparatively, Chinese language drugs places a robust emphasis on managing feelings for good well being.

When feelings are extreme and long-lasting, they straight hurt our inner organs and may result in bodily signs. To be able to harmonize our feelings and nourish the thoughts, we must always domesticate our ethical character, reasonable needs, do good deeds, and comply with our conscience. Once we encounter troublesome conditions and have sturdy destructive feelings, we will regulate our feelings by shifting our focus, reframing the scenario, getting remedy and steering, and doing deep respiration.