Two Sides of a Coin
“What happens in the body reflects in the mind, and what happens in the mind reflects in the body.”
My meditation teacher made the above idea part of a recent discussion she facilitated, and it really resonated with me. It also ties into our theme of the different types of Qi….specifically the Gu Qi or Qi of food. Gu Qi is the first stage of Qi transformation. Food is consumed and travels to the stomach where it rots and ripens. The digested food is transformed by the spleen into Gu Qi, and from here it must rise to the lungs to combine with air to make Gathering or Zong Qi. This process forms the building blocks of our immunity, blood, and nourishes all organs.
A lot of us can appreciate how different foods make us feel. When we focus on nutrient dense whole foods, and drink plenty of water we feel fueled, clear minded, and motivated. When we eat heavily processed foods, foods high in sugar, or foods that just don’t agree with us the opposite happens. We feel heavy, full, bloated, lethargic, lack of mental clarity, moodiness, and maybe even some headaches and body aches. Why does this happen? Your blood sugar is unstable which brings on systemic inflammation which affects our brain, digestive tract, circulatory system, the endocrine system (especially the pancreas), and even the liver and kidneys. In the long term this can lead to weight gain, damage cognitive development, increase risk of depression, damage arteries, affect kidney and liver function, and damage the pancreas leading to insulin resistance and diabetes. That old saying “You are what you eat” does have a deeper meaning.
Another piece of the puzzle is when you eat. Keeping a regular schedule for meal times is important (that goes for sleep as well). Skipping meals, sporadic eating, eating on the go, eating before bed, and having a large eating window can unknowingly create a stress response in our bodies. Cortisol is being secreted in response to the stress, and our bodies are in a fight or flight response. Cortisol increases blood glucose to fuel the brain and body, and it curbs non-essential functions so you are ready for the fight or flight. In our day to day we are not fighting for our lives so this is an exaggerated and unnecessary mechanism. This constant up and down takes its toll leading to insulin resistance, weight gain, fatigue, and imbalance in hormones. Make meal planning and meal times a priority, and watch what happens.
What do you do for fun, entertainment, exercise, and self care?
When I ask my patients this question I hear quite a few of you overwork, and find it difficult to have time for yourselves. Your days are packed full trying to do all the things, and finding yourselves melting into the floor…..here comes our friend cortisol again. We are all looking for that work/life balance, but it can be hard to figure out what that really looks like. When it comes to work, making a point to truly unplug when you leave can be powerful. Look for ways you can make things more efficient so you’re not having to work late or take your work home. If you work from home it’s even more important to make clear boundaries to build more peace of mind. When it comes to exercise you should feel better, not more fatigued afterward. If you are exhausted and can’t find the bandwidth to even start an exercise program, start with daily walks - you will notice a difference pretty quickly in the way you feel. Figure out what self care looks like for you - acupuncture, massage, time with friends and family, reading a book, or sitting in silence.
Entertainment can come in many different mediums, and it’s important to find balance here as well. Extreme sports and activities can create stress within our bodies in the same way so mindfulness and restorative practices are key to counterbalance. What we watch, listen to, and read can elicit a stress response in our bodies as well, so next time you go down a true crime rabbit hole try to mix it up with some lighthearted fiction.
I’m not trying to be a party pooper...because living in a rigid mold is stressful too. I love me some true crime, I crave ice cream before bed, I do enjoy a michelada from time to time, and chips and salsa are life! Ask yourself, am I being fueled, motivated, rejuvenated by my actions, choices, and environment? Am I raising my vibration? I encourage you to find balance and partake in moderation...Hey I’m just looking out for your future self.
