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The Hearts Wisdom ❤️

The heart is universally linked to love due to its physical response to emotion (think of heart racing when excited, pounding when nervous, or even the sensation of it breaking after a loss). In Chinese medical theory, it is said the heart governs all emotional states as that is where the shen (spirit mind) resides, but it is especially being influenced by the emotion of joy. When we talk about our “shen”, it’s synonymous to our conscious awareness, mental clarity, emotional well-being and stability. That sparkle in our eye, our inner vitality and alertness of the mind is all reflective of our shen. It becomes difficult and sometimes even impossible to participate in relationships and activities we love if these qualities are not present or strong enough. In order to be present for things and people we love, we must first show up for ourselves. This post will provide you with simple and effective tools to cultivate your heart health through a Chinese medical lens, allowing you to continue showing up for what and who you love despite life’s demanding nature.

Key Functions and Attributes of the Heart in TCM

It’s first important to understand a few key functions and attributes of the heart from a Chinese medical standpoint in order to discuss ways of nurturing it. As previously mentioned, the heart houses the mind (shen/spirit) and mental functioning; it governs all emotional states but is intimately related with the emotion of joy. Blood is created in and governed by the heart and circulates through the vessels to which the heart also dominates. The heart opens to the tongue and affects our ability to speak. All of these attributes provide us with a basic framework on how to keep our hearts healthy and what symptoms to look out for when unbalanced or pathological.

The Importance of Heart Blood

The state of heart blood significantly affects these five functions in particular: mental activity(including emotions), consciousness, memory, thinking, and sleep. The heart’s function of housing the mind depends on adequate nourishment from blood. If heart blood is abundant, mental activity is normal, your emotional state feels balanced, you have a clear consciousness, good memory, sharp thinking, and restful sleep. If heart blood is deficient, there is not enough substance for the mind to take root in, potentially leading to symptoms such as mental restlessness, foggy headedness, palpitations, difficulty speaking, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. A healthy heart and mind will positively influence our ability to relate to other people. Conversely emotional problems due to difficult relationships can weaken the heart, diminish its blood, and cloud the mind.

What Can You Do to Foster Heart Health From a TCM Standpoint

A healthy heart and mind will positively influence our ability to relate to other people and connect deeply with what we love. Here are some suggestions for strengthening your heart health…

• Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Visit a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine provider for this care and guidance.
• Eat blood nourishing foods:
  • All red meats are blood tonifying, especially bone marrow, bone broths, and liver.
  • Eggs
  • Grains; barley, bran, corn, oats, rice, and wheat.
  • Vegetables; alfalfa sprouts, artichoke, avocado, beets, broccoli, cabbage, celery, kelp, dark leafy greens (kale spinach, chard), mushrooms (button & shitake), watercress
  • Fruits; apple, apricot, berries (cherry, cranberry), dates, figs, grapes, mulberry – Beans; adzuki, black, and kidney
  • Condiments; molasses
• Get adequate rest: allow yourself at least 8-9hrs per night
• Engage in regular activities that bring you joy and make you laugh…bonus points if you are able to do these things between the time of 11am-1pm as that is traditionally the time associated with the heart and when the heart is at its peak energy and vitality. – See individuals you love in person on a regular basis.
• Set your boundaries! Setting limits on emotional investments and commitments can prevent burnout and exhaustion.
• Regular breathing exercises to ensure free flow of Qi and blood within the chest cavity, allowing for proper circulation and nourishment.

Fostering love and healthy relationships fundamentally begins with self-care and self-compassion. When individuals prioritize their own well-being, they cultivate a deep sense of self-worth and emotional resilience. This nurturing creates a strong foundation for positive interactions with others, allowing genuine connections to flourish. By caring for oneself, individuals not only enhance their emotional health but also develop the capacity to give and receive love in a more meaningful way.

Hailey