Written by Kalina Shannon, AP, DOM
Have you ever dropped something harmless such as keys or a piece of paper on the floor and angrily sighed or growled in irritation? Have you ever experienced stress and tension, irritability, dull body pain, tense shoulders, grinding teeth, easy to anger, PMS, menstrual cramps or possibly digestive or eye issues? You may have Liver Qi Stagnation!
In Chinese Medicine, we see the Liver as responsible for the free flow of Qi or energy in the body and when stress, toxins, Liver disease, hormonal imbalances or poor nutrition stagnate it, then the body’s functions and emotional balance may suffer.
What are some things that you can do to alleviate Liver Qi Stagnation?
- Breathe deeply… Oxygen alkalizes, relaxes, brings us out of ‘fight or flight’, and brings us into our NOW moment!
- Exercise… Do something you love to do and get both your Qi and your endorphins flowing. The Liver loves Tai Qi, aerobic exercise, weight-lifting, in fact, any exercise.
- Express your anger in a healthy way. Quit holding it in. Quit raging it out.K
- Keep a journal or find a therapist, close friend or partner who is present and available for you to both vent and process the stressful issues in your life, as well as find dynamic solutions.
- Eat healthy, fresh foods… Some foods that help the Liver Qi and/or nourish the blood are: mung bean sprouts, celery, spirulina, dark leafy greens, beets, berries, and Goji berries.
- Go green… as in bare feet on the green grass, look at nature, lean back against a tree with arms outstretched, do some gardening, walk or sit and reconnect with the rhythms of nature. Put a green plant next to your computer screen. Rest your eyes. Turn off your phones, tvs, and wi-fi when you go to sleep, give your body a rest from the electronic static and overwhelm of modern society.
- Make plans and follow through on them or recommit to a different outcome. In Chinese medicine, our Liver is all about our Visions, Goals, and Decision-Making. Honor that part of yourself and make some dynamic realities come true. If your plans change, chill, be flexible and grow in a different direction to make a new plan with minimal or no frustration!
- See a great Acupuncturist or Herbalist. You may receive dietary, herbal or lifestyle advice along with treatments that could smooth your path, refresh and recharge you on all levels.
Bless your Livers, may they flow smoothly! namaste
To contact Dr. Shannon or schedule a FREE 30 minute consultation call 941-301-8485 or schedule online at https://www.goodlifehealing.com/schedule-online/
While there is more than a little disagreement on the subject of dietary supplements, the majority of information is that we should all be taking a few important supplements every day. This is true for everyone, from the chronically ill to the healthiest person, and from the fast food junky to the most health conscious. Our lifestyle choices, the diminishing quality of our soil and food supply and the ongoing pollution of our environment, make it nearly impossible to get everything we need to be optimally healthy.
