![]() This alcohol induced sleep is followed by an awakened state with difficulty falling back asleep. In the second case, the alcohol initially induces a short period of sleep because it helps the Blood to flow more smoothly so you feel relaxed. This type of insomnia can be resolved simply by eating a light dinner and finishing all food and drink intake at least three hours before going to bed. When the stomach is working hard to churn food at night, it generates heat that can rise to activate the mind. In the first case, undigested food in the stomach is a physical obstruction that prevents Yang Qi from descending. Over-eating and drinking alcohol can also cause Yang Qi to be stuck in the head. The best herbal formula to counter this type of insomnia with incessant thinking is Sleep (Spleen). Churning thoughts over and over again generates heat in the head which keeps the eyes activated. This is common in people who tend to overthink or are bombarded with excessive, repetitive thoughts. This excess of Yang Qi remaining in the head activates the sensory organs and prevents the mind from shutting down. Here Yang Qi is stuck in the head and cannot descend to the core. The first type of insomnia is difficulty falling asleep. If Blood and Yang Qi cannot return to the core at night, then insomnia ensues. Therefore, the energetics of sleep depend on the Blood and Yang Qi descending from the head, retreating from the muscles, and returning to the core. The position you fall asleep is the position you awake. During sleep, the muscles should relax completely to the point of stillness. Similarly, the muscles need less Blood and Yang Qi because they are not carrying the weight of your skeleton as you lie in bed. During the day, the head and muscles have a high demand for Blood and Yang Qi to keep you awake and capable of working throughout the day.Īt night, when you go to bed, the head’s demand for Blood and Yang Qi is less because your brain and sensory organs shut down and you fall asleep. Likewise, as you wake up in the morning and start using your brain to coordinate movement, Blood and Yang Qi have to flow to the head to activate the brain, the eyes, and other sensory organs. For example, when you work out, more blood has to flow to your muscles to sustain the activity of exercise. As you read and interpret this, the same process is happening in you.ĭuring the day, Blood and Yang Qi circulate throughout the entire body and flow more to certain areas as needed. From the Blood, Yang Qi is generated to activate and coordinate different body parts so that I can type and cohesively transfer my thoughts into letters, words, and paragraphs. In physiology, Yang Qi is the functional, moving energy behind Blood.Īs I sit here to type this article, Blood has to flow to my brain, to my eyes, and to my fingers to nourish them. Blood is the liquid water and Yang Qi is the hot steam, still water, but moving in the form of a gas. The relationship between Blood and Yang Qi can be illustrated with a cup of steaming hot water. ![]() In this article, I am simplifying the concept of Yang Qi to functional energy, because all daily actions, including the process of thinking, require functional energy. Most people are familiar with Blood, but the concept of Yang Qi is more elusive as there is no equivalent concept in English. The energetics of sleep and activity depend on two deeply intertwined forces called Blood and Yang Qi. What characterizes good sleep? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the best sleep is falling asleep quickly, staying immobilized in deep sleep from 11pm to 7am, and waking up refreshed. Good sleep is essential for getting well and staying well. ![]() How Traditional Chinese Medicine Views Insomnia To understand the different causes of insomnia, you have to understand the energetics of nighttime sleep compared to the energetics of daytime activity. ![]() There are actually five types of insomnia. If you have a hard time falling asleep, staying asleep, or you wake up tired, then you have insomnia. By Patricia Nguyen, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and herbal consultant at Silkie Herbs
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