Intense or prolonged emotions can cause physical problems.
Anger, fear, worry, sadness and joy fluctuate normally throughout our lives. In excess they can decrease the circulation of energies and substances throughout the body and lead to sickness.
How can we unblock these habitual emotions?
Anger is mitigated with exercise and stretching. Tendons and muscles put our intentions into action. Ensuring these tissues are nourished and supple is what keeps blood, energy and emotions moving smoothly. The extreme experience of shaking and being entirely overcome with anger can be avoided through movement.
Fear can be soothed with a hot Epsom salts foot bath. Both the salts and the focus on the feet ground your energy. A foot bath can also correct the sensations of rising energy common to anxiety. If you’re having trouble sleeping, an Epsom salts foot bath right before bed is relaxing.
Worry can be lessened with daily meditation. The quality is much more important than the quantity. Try three minutes of awareness of your breath per day for two weeks. Sit comfortably and keep your eyes slightly open to avoid sleeping. The key is to allow your thoughts to come and go naturally until they slow down and you feel more peaceful, always returning your attention to your breath. While stillness is the focus, avoid the rigid idea that you must avoid thinking. Mental chatter can be minimized by listening to soothing music or repeating a phrase while breathing, such as inhaling with “I am,” and exhaling with “calm.”
Sadness is erased when our respiratory system is strong. The image of a person depressed and hunched forward is indicative of weak chest and lung energies. Improve lung function by eating apples, Asian pears, broccoli, goji berries, lima beans and pecans. Exercise, chi gong and meditation strengthen your respiratory system as well.
Joy is a positive emotion that becomes detrimental only when excessive. Avoid stimulating foods like caffeine, alcohol, sugar, citrus juice and hot peppers. Overexcitement is prevented by spending time with relaxed individuals, engaging in caring conversation and pacing yourself during exercise. “No pain, no gain” does not apply here.
