Calming the shen for peaceful rest
Between 10 and 30% of adults worldwide suffer from chronic insomnia. This disorder particularly affects women. However, it is also found in older people and those suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, among other conditions.
The need for rest varies greatly from one person to another, but sleep is a vital need for every human being. Fatigue disrupts our internal balance and affects our mood and, consequently, our well-being.
Yet most of us have experienced disturbed nights or simply difficulty falling asleep. The result is waking up in the morning feeling tired despite having rested.
For some people, these problems can be very serious and persist over time. The list of sleep disorders is long. One of the main causes is stress, which is increasingly present and even pervasive in our daily lives. Exposure to screens also plays a part. As a result, few people experience the 3 to 5 90-minute sleep cycles that neuroscience tells us we should be getting.
The perspective of Chinese medicine
According to TCM, disturbed sleep can cause exhaustion that weakens our immune system. Sleep disorders stem from an energy imbalance. Normally, before going to bed, Yang decreases to make way for Yin. Yin corresponds to rest and stillness of the body and mind.
Conversely, if there is an excess of Yang or a deficiency of Yin, the mind or ‘Shen’ cannot find calm and rest… Sleep is then disturbed.
Certain factors are known to be detrimental to falling asleep or sleeping:
- Intense physical activity at the end of the day or in the evening can disrupt sleep.
- Eating meals that are too rich, especially in the evening, degrades the quality of our sleep.
- Finally, emotional instability, stress, torment, overwork and nervousness heavily affect the Shen (the Spirit), which is sheltered by the Heart.
A good night’s sleep to recharge your batteries
As we have already explained in our articles, the kidneys are fundamental to vital energy. In addition to the ancestral energy instilled by our parents at the moment of conception, the kidneys store the energy we recover day after day through food, among other things. As you probably already know, ancestral energy is a fixed and limited resource that gradually diminishes over time.
Fortunately, there is a way to avoid drawing on this ancestral capital and thus, in a sense, regenerate your kidneys: sleep.
As we have already explained in our articles, the kidneys are fundamental to vital energy. In addition to the ancestral energy instilled by our parents at the moment of conception, the kidneys store the energy we recover day after day through food, among other things.
As you probably already know, ancestral energy is a fixed and limited resource that gradually diminishes.
Fortunately, there is a way to avoid drawing on this ancestral capital and thus, in a sense, regenerate your kidneys: sleep.
It is often frowned upon socially to go to bed before midnight. And yet, it is between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. that the kidneys are restored. Everyone must learn to recognise their own sleep needs.
Some people need 6 hours, others 9 hours; some people need to go to bed early, others to get up later. Let’s not forget naps, which play a major role in energy recovery.
Yǎngshēng and healthy living
Traditional Chinese medicine recommends yǎngshēng as a way to avoid sleep disorders. Firstly, it encourages a light diet (easy to digest). It advises against heavy meals before bedtime, late dinners, and the consumption of stimulants (tea, coffee, fizzy drinks); strong flavours that may disturb the Heart and, by extension, the Shen are also discouraged.
It is essential to take care of our emotional health. The heart must fall asleep first. We should make sure to meditate before going to sleep, especially if we feel a little excited. It is best to listen to music known for its relaxing properties. Finally, before bedtime, we should avoid heated or even confrontational discussions, which put a strain on our emotions. Finally, in the evening, we should choose the company of loving and compassionate people, or simply people who do not need psychological support.
Chinese medicine solutions
Acupuncture
Acupuncture for people prone to sleep disorders helps restore good Qi circulation. It promotes the harmonisation of Yin and Yang as well as that of the body and mind, which are inseparable in the treatment of diseases.
By stimulating specific points, we are able to treat the causes of these disorders and regulate energy flow to facilitate sleep.
The frequency of sessions varies from person to person, but frequent sessions, around 2 to 3 times a week, generally produce very conclusive results.
Plants as a natural alternative
The health benefits of plants promote relaxation of the body and mind and facilitate sleep, ensuring peaceful nights. We choose recipes with soothing and calming properties to prevent and relieve sleep disorders.
Indeed, Chinese pharmacopoeia recommends natural herbal preparations to calm the Shen, nourish the Yin, and calm the excess Yang that causes sleep disturbances.
Among other plants, we find:
-Suan zao ren, which nourishes the Liver Blood, soothes the Heart and calms the Mind.
– Ye jiao teng, which nourishes the Yin of the Heart and calms the Mind to restore tranquillity and deep, restorative sleep.
– Mei gui hua for its calming and soothing properties on the nervous system, which promote sleep.
Under no circumstances should these plants be consumed on their own, in herbal tea for example. They will, if necessary, be included in a recipe formulated according to a personalised diagnosis.
For a complete and revitalising cycle
1. Exercise regularly to improve energy flow in the body.
2. Avoid heavy meals, alcohol and caffeinated drinks before bedtime.
3. Create a calm and relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom, avoiding bright lights and noise.
4. Avoid working or using electronic screens before bedtime, so as not to overstimulate the brain.
5. Maintain a regular sleep pattern by going to bed and getting up at similar times each day.
6. Practise relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing before bedtime to calm the mind.
7. Avoid negative emotions such as anger, anxiety or stress, which can disrupt sleep by affecting the flow of energy in the body.
Please do not hesitate to consult us if you have persistent sleep problems, so that we can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
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