by Chia Chia Cheng, Dip. NCCAOM, CNFM, L.Ac.
How are you Friend, doing during Week 3 of SIP? (Shelter In Place). Hanging in there, I hope.
I’ve been seeing signs and emails that promote “Stay home, Stay safe.” It got me thinking. What is happening to those who do not feel safe in their home?
What about those folks who looked forward to going to work, shopping or visiting a friend because that was a time they could get away to safety? What is happening to the children who found school as a weekly escape to be among friends and adults who provided a safe environment? Or those individuals who find the social isolation of SIP devastating to their mental health? What about those who feel an increased sense of hopelessness as the death toll increases with each new report?
Add on the financial stress that many individuals and families are feeling. This increases the risk for those most vulnerable.
My heart goes out to them as I practice gratitude for the safety I feel in my home. I feel gratitude for the ability to provide a safe home for my children. I don’t know what to do for those most vulnerable in the meantime that would be impactful.
One thing I do know. Continue to take care of yourself.
When you take care of yourself, you are putting out positive energy to the rest of us. Send love and light to those who are not feeling safe.
With the social isolation and increased intensity of financial stress, your body may be reacting in a new way. Some common occurrences are:
- waking up in the middle of the night, especially between 1-3 am
- erratic sleep patterns, early waking or difficulty settling at night
- lack of appetite or increased cravings for carbohydrates/sugar/alcohol
- low energy one day, high productivity the next
- changes in bowel movements; constipation or loose stools
- increased physical pain
- irritability, difficulty coping, feeling down, increased anxiety
Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM describes an energetic quality about each season. Spring is expansive, with new growth and more light. Wood is the associated element of Spring.
Shelter in place and social distancing are two practices that are contrary to the energetic spirit of Spring. The constrictive nature of shelter in place does little to promote growth and project an outward pouring of energy.
Make no mistake. These instituted measures serve a purpose. Yet, the emotional toxification by the uncertainty and general anxiety felt by all is taking a toll. In TCM the organ that bears this burden is the Liver.
This constriction occurs both on a tangible level as well as an energetic level. Here are things you can do to free your Liver and promote flow of qi (chi), your life force, prana, mana.
- Eat clean, drink clean.
- Add sour flavors, preferably in nature’s form of a lime or lemon.
- Move your body daily.
- Let yourself feel emotions.
Drinking alcohol and eating high sugar/high fat foods require the liver to do extra work to metabolize them. Sour is the flavor of the Wood element. By getting a light sweat going, you’re burning up stress hormones, ones that promote inflammation and infection. The avoidance of emotions constricts the energy of the liver.
Stick with what you know for sure.
Be well. Stay connected.
