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.

How many years have you written the same resolutions only to have to repeat the same resolution the next year? You’re not alone! Here’s a different approach to creating new year’s resolutions that is much more effective! I don’t believe that resolutions should be thrown out…I think they just need an image update! Resolutions are really just intentions, if done well.

Think about how most people approach resolutions.  A common example is: “I HAVE to lose weight. I’m so fat.” (who says you “have to?” – that builds in a defense mechanism that believe it or not, creates an internal conflict.) That person’s resolution might be: “I’m going to lose 20 pounds by X date,” while inside they’re quietly thinking, “you’re weak. You’re disgusting. You’re fat. Here we go AGAIN!” and things like that. Negative negative negative! Do you think that person actually believes they can do it? What would make them believe that this year would be any different from last year? The problem does not lie in the intention. The problem lies in the belief – in having faith that your goal can actually be accomplished.

Here’s my approach: Turn the resolution into an affirmation! Instead of saying “I want to lose 20 pounds,” how about, “I am so happy now that I make healthy choices in my life and I maintain the healthiest weight for me.” That is do-able! It doesn’t mean you can’t have a background goal of losing 20 pounds, which is admirable (if it’s actually healthy for you!) BUT, if your goal sits on top of an underlying belief that you are fat, weak, or even “gross” as I’ve heard some women say…guess what you AND the Universe will be conspiring together to create: more of what you think about and really believe…that you are fat!

As I always say, what you think about creates emotions. Those emotions induce actions. So, the way you think about your resolutions makes an enormous difference in their realization.

Write your affirmations, and put them by your bedside table. When you wake in the morning, first thing, before you even brush your teeth, say them out loud. Before going to bed, say them again. Set your intention for the day, (and to your sleeping self), that this is how you will carry out your day. Then, forget about it! Trust that you have made the commitment to live your intentions. This is loving yourself through an “inner gremlin” or dialogue called, “I”m not good enough” or some sort of negative self-talk that sabotages intentions all the time.

Here are a few more examples of resolutions that can be turned into affirmations (ps: notice how so many are also phrased in the future):

* “I’m so disorganized. I have to get rid of the chaos in my life!” becomes: “I’m so happy now that I live a balanced, organized and peaceful life.”
* “I’m going to start an exercise program” turns to: “I feel so good now that I’m exercising 5x/week!”
* “I’m quitting smoking!” can be: “I so enjoy the feeling of a smokeless body! I breathe easily, have a lot of energy, food tastes so good, and I even smell great!”

You get the idea!

Some Tips For Making Successful Affirmations:

Keep them:
1. In the present tense
2. Positively focused (flip the “I’m losing, quitting or no longer” to an “I”m so happy   now that…”)
3.  Small enough to be believable (making a million dollars in 3 months might be do-able, but probably not believable!)

Finally, to give affirmations an extra punch, try visualizing yourself achieving your goals. Feel what it feels like to have lost the weight and slide on your new jeans.  Imagine what a day is actually like when you move through it with ease. Feel the amount of energy and good health you have when you are a smokeless person. Smell the food, engage in cooking healthy meals. Really get into the fantasy and engage as many senses as possible in your visualizations.

And, it need only take a few minutes. Don’t let it be a time drain, just say it, experience it, know it to be true, and move on with your day.

Woohoo! Here’s to making these affirmations, or resolutions happen – no matter what you call them!

Blessings for 2012! May all your dreams come true!