Sleep
Sleep. Sweet, restorative peaceful sleep. What are the requirements to have a night like this? Many!
First, an essential ingredient for peaceful sleep is…a quiet peaceful environment. We have to process/digest everything including the content of what we take in and the electromagnetic frequencies they emit. Using your iPad, computer, and phone in bed creates a disruption in your environment. This is especially true when we are receiving emails/texts/calls (even in airplane mode!). Set a time to put devices (out of the bedroom) aside at LEAST an hour before bed. Consider kicking it back old school and getting an alarm clock!
In addition, if we have eaten too soon before sleep (try to make your last eats at 7:30/8) , our Stomach has to stay up digesting food when it should be resting. This can result in indigestion and insomnia. One grumpy tummy. The Stomach loves warmth. Try some soothing ginger tea before bed. See some recipe ideas here. Learn more about how to support your Stomach.
And it is more than just food that can leave our Stomach feeling upset and over-full! Our Stomach has to help us process EVERYTHING!
That includes our emotions, information, and experiences. If we have had an overwhelming day at work or in our home life and go to bed with all of that unprocessed emotion…it may bubble up in the night!
Give yourself the gift of some you time, even just a bit, before bed. That may mean a warm bath, a walk in Nature, energy practice (keep scrolling below!), or a full-on emotional release through Taoist emotional cleansing!
Every organ system within our body has its own frequency. Imagine these frequencies to be your own unique symphony orchestra. If even one system is “out of tune,” well you guessed it….brummmmmm it disturbs the experience of the entire orchestra and can disrupt sleep.
A peaceful night's sleep requires energy, balance, and harmony of all systems together. Connecting with the organ system disrupting the orchestra most is the best place to begin. You can explore the systems and how you can support their function body, mind, and Spirit through the link below.
Keep reading this page for ways to support all organs through energy exercises even if you have no idea which one is saying what!
Every organ system has a two-hour window when it takes charge of the body. If you find your sleep repeatedly disrupted during these hours, this is a sign that organ is in need of love and attention.
Going to bed before 11 is also an important conservative practice. For every hour we stay awake after 11 PM, we use twice as much energy! Unfortunately, this means that anyone working night hours is burning an incredible amount of Qi. If you must work night hours, try to limit your shifts and allow time for recovery/rest. In addition, you will need to go above and beyond to conserve and support your energy. See the exercises below.
The Liver takes over from 1 AM - 3 AM and hands the energy off to the Lung from 3 AM - 5 AM. If you find yourself awakening at that junction this can be a sign that something is out of balance in this unique co-operative relationship.
The Liver helps us to process stress, balance emotions, and express our creativity. It also is the organ that is responsible for the menstrual cycle. Its season is Spring, the ultimate time for expression! If we are blocked in this energy or if we are using this energy intensely in our body, life, and work, it may awaken us for support.
Two common sleep disorders are restless leg syndrome and jaw clenching. Our Liver energy is in charge of our tendons/ligaments. If we have stagnant Liver Qi, one clever way the body may try to release it is through moving/kicking the legs at night. The tension held in the body may also show through nightly jaw clenching.
From a different angle, we may awaken at Liver hour because we are connecting into our intuitive creativity! Learn more on Lovin the Liver!
The Lung is an organ that must receive and let go of the breath. It has a pattern that must shift and respond in relationship to many factors both physical and emotional. If we are experiencing Lung stagnation we may have challenges with control. The Lung helps us process sadness and grief. If these emotions are not flowing or are stuck, the Lung may wake us up seeking support.
In addition, the Lung is represented by Metal. Lung helps us shine our Spirit in the world. It shows how we value OURSELVES. If we are blocked in this energy, it may awaken us for support. Learn more on Lovin the Lung!
Another common disruptor of sleep is having to urinate at night. At night all organs should be resting. If you awaken to urinate, it is a sign the Bladder cannot contain itself until morning. You can support its function through the energy exercises below.
Learn more about Lovin the Bladder.
Similarly, night sweats and hot flashes are a sign of imbalance in the Bladder’s partner organ the Kidney. The Kidney is the reservoir of our Life Force energy and the essence of Water. You can consider these signs like a smoke detector going off in your internal house. It is awakening you for a very important reason! Your energy tank is low and needs support.
Learn more about Lovin the Kidney.
So, what can you do to support peaceful sleep? Nurture your energy body! Traditional physical exercise can release stress but it does so at an energy cost. If you struggle with insomnia, you want to conserve energy!
You can begin practicing The Four Energy Gates daily to support flow and function of your organs. This practice is based on our Meridian network. This is an energy grid that connects above, below, and within to each and every organ system, tissue, and cell in the body. How energy is flowing within this network directly impacts organ function. When flow happens, healing naturally follows. We also rely on this energy grid to help us connect to our world: Nature, our work, co-workers, family, and friends. Supporting flow thus supports clarity and connection in these relationships.
The Four Energy Gates are locations along the Meridian network that have a profound impact on many levels within the body, mind, and Spirit, each has its own unique “sub-specialty.” By accessing the Gates through self-acupressure, you can support flow and thus promote healing. The second energy gate, in particular, is an excellent practice to help you fall asleep and can be used if you awaken at night.
Learn the practice NOW: The Four Energy Gates
To provide additional body, mind, Spirit support, consider practicing “The Dragon Stands Between Heaven and Earth” before bed or even if you awaken at night!
Begin by standing with your feet hip distance apart. Raise the hands to chest level and point your thumbs at each other in a loose fist. Draw your hands back to the chest, maintaining the position. Now, allow the elbows to relax so that it also relaxes the shoulders and neck. Not horizontal and not dropped fully to the sides. Feel that sweet spot in between. Bend your knees slightly and close your eyes. You can practice with or without music/meditation and in or outdoors. Allow your breathing to be natural. If balance is an issue you can open your eyes or stand against a wall or a piece of furniture.
The longer you hold the pose, the more benefit, and energy you will receive. Start with 5 minutes and push yourself to hold the pose continuously for 15, 20, 30 minutes, and beyond! Learn more about Dragon’s Way Qigong.
Watch this video to learn the pose from Grand Master Nan Lu: https://www.tcmworld.org/dragon-stands-between-heaven-and-earth/
The energy you receive will help to center and prepare you for a peaceful night’s sleep and even bring more peace, flow, and energy to your day!
THE BODY NEVER LIES.
Organ Function, Emotions, & Spirit: Five Element Consciousness
Did you know that every physical symptom we experience is actually a sign, an inner guide?! These guides are revealing where we are out of balance. Getting to know your guides is essential to empower healing within. When there has been a breast cancer diagnosis, much of our focus goes straight to the cancer. When we expand our focus and trace back to discover which organ systems became out of balance we expand our healing potential to the root cause.
The Five Element Consciousness framework maps the connections between organ functions, emotions, healing foods, and all of Nature! We are at our highest state of health and well-being when we are in alignment with Nature’s cycles. Explore more now through this link: Organ Function, Emotions, & Spirit: Five Element Consciousness