Sometimes I need to listen to my own advice. Since the (overindulgent) holidays, I’ve been working my tail off, sitting at my desk. Because I now only see patients on Fridays,  the other days, I’m either coaching clients on the phone, or, I’m at my desk. Do you get that I’m sitting? A lot? Much time spent in my head, (and my heart and intuition, of course) but thinking, working, etc. I love what I do, and I love doing ALL of it. BUT, with the exception of a (sometimes short) walk every day, I’ve not left the house in days!

And yesterday, I hit a wall. I sat at my desk, and my brain turned to mush, unable to work. I just sat and stared, annoyed. Too fried to meditate, eyes bleary from staring at a computer screen. Too tired to exercise. And it hit me. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (tcm) perspective, I realized what I’d been doing to myself (besides ignoring my own advice! – I can be a stubborn Capricorn – the goat who keeps walking up the mountain and working hard.)

In tcm, the way we diagnose a patient is to plug symptoms and tendencies into a different paradigm that is thousands of years old. And, it works. Seemingly disparate symptoms miraculously (often) fall splendidly into a cohesive diagnosis. So bear with me as I explain this particular situation, because it is one of the most common diagnoses in America. It’s the overwork, under-sleep, eat while we work (or eat poorly) and don’t get enough exercise diagnosis, aka “Liver Overacting on Spleen.”

So, the Liver meridian/organ system is responsible for the patency, or free flow, of “qi” in the body. The Spleen meridian/organ system, among other things, is taxed by excess mental work. It also is responsible for taking the food and drink we ingest, and turning it into qi and blood. Another job is has is to hold things in, like sweat. So, with the above scenario, you can see how we have the perfect set-up for both organ systems being taxed: overindulgence and over-thinking taxes the Spleen, and not moving our qi (which then gets bottled up), among other things, taxes the Liver.

We end up with “Liver Qi Stagnation.”  The Liver will then “overact” and “attack” the Spleen.  (trust me, it’s just how it works.) So, we’re irritable – because anger is the emotion associated with the Liver, and tired, unable to think because it went and attacked our Spleen system. Then you have a pissed-off, burned out and fatigued human being, unable to function.   (I’m also a little prone to hyperbole, but anyway.) Sound familiar?

The solution: MOVE YOUR QI! So, today, I took my favorite Zumba class! It’s a kick-butt, fun, non-stop sweat your prayers kind of class.  And sweat I did. So, I got to move my qi and move the fluids!  And guess what? Open for business again, feeling better than ever!

My recommendation if you start feeling “stuck” is to get some exercise. Go outside and walk, at the very least.  Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, so you think better, too. It has been proven that walking, especially outside, increases brain function, volume, and cognitive functions like memory and attention.

If you’re exhausted, (meaning you’ve abused yourself to the point of true exhaustion) don’t take a kick-butt zumba class (perhaps a restorative yoga class), rest and get good sleep, eat a balanced, healthy diet without much cheese, cold foods or carbs (which all tax the Spleen system).  When you’re feeling balanced, get some exercise. If you push yourself when you’re exhausted, you’ll only wear your body out. It’s a balance.

How do you decide whether your Liver is more stuck than your Spleen is tired? Pay attention to the way you feel.

– You know you’re stuck if:

• You’re sighing a lot. (the Liver meridian runs over the flanks, so sighing stretches the diaphragm, which stimulates the Liver meridian – cool, right?
• You’re getting really irritable and find yourself having angry outbursts or at least wanting to
• You find yourself twisting and stretching a lot

– You know you’re exhausted or deficient if:

• You’re tired!
• You’re having poor digestion (gas, bloating, tired after you eat, etc)
• You feel foggy headed – or have unclear thinking
• Your body says sleep, not run

I think my next posting will be about why we often feel it’s ok to work too hard, but not to stop and take care of ourselves!

Until then, sweat your prayers on a mat, in a class or taking a walk. Sit when you need to sit, rest when you need to rest. It’s all about attention.