Is your diet making you worry more?
Ultimately, yes, it can. Worry is a sign that your digestive system is tired, and needs some focused rehabilitation. Traditionally it is said in Oriental medicine that “worry knots the stomach qi” We can feel this physically - maybe a pricking sensation that can then tighten into a hard knotted ball! Each organ system in the body has a different emotion that acts as a red flag to let us know, “hey, I need some help over here!"
Worry is that red flag for our digestive system.
Worry is a type of anxiety that is usually triggered by stressful thoughts… you know, those
persistent thoughts that you just can't seem to let go of in your mind, that pop up out of nowhere? They niggle away in the background & can keep you awake at night as you mull over them, going around & around in your head stuck on replay! Or you get an email that sets off the worry train, and next thing you know, you have heart palpitations, chest pressure, and feel like you either can't get your breath or you need to go run around the block 10 times to get back into control.
Like with emotions, each organ system has a season of the year that it is associated with. It is the time that the most energy influences these organs, and it is the best time to strengthen or rehabilitate them. For better or for worse, it is also the time of year when these organs will start to misbehave in an attempt to get your attention.
The “transition” season and what it means
The digestive organ pair of the stomach & spleen comes into season at the transition of the main seasons, winter into spring, spring into summer, summer into autumn & autumn into winter. At this time of season change, any symptom associated with the stomach & spleen can surface. (In Chinese medicine, the spleen is best thought of as a combo of our pancreas and the spleen in the Western world).
Classically it is said the last 17 days of each season is the season of the digestive system. It is called Late-Summer in Chinese medicine, but it happens four times a year.
So what is the importance of seasons in Chinese nutrition?
The season associated with each organ system is the best time to strengthen, nurture, and replenish that organ system. It is also when it will start to misbehave to get your attention. So if you're stomach and spleen need your help, look for these symptoms:
increased bloating, gas, or changes in your bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation)
increase in acid reflux
stomach feeling 'off', especially after eating large protein meals or any food
feeling foggy-headed, muzzy like ones head is full of cotton wool and having difficulty concentrating
having a hard time absorbing or taking in information - the mind that goes think, think, think, worry, worry, worry is associated with the spleen.
an increase in worry or worry flavored anxiety
body feeling heavy limbed, tired, extra lethargic
a heavier menstrual cycle
bruising easily, suddenly developing piles or even a prolapse.
These are the big symptoms. If this is happening to you between now and the spring equinox, your digestive system needs your love and attention!
What can you do?
Resist the temptation to eat lots of fresh salad and raw fruit. I know you have been told that this is so full of all the wonderful vitamins & minerals. Yes it is. BUT too much cold raw food can put out or dampen down the digestive fire! Like putting damp leaves on a camp fire! Our body is hot - body temperature - if you put cold raw food into it, your body has to use energy to heat it to body temperature & “cook” it to break it down for all the wonderful microbiome in your GI tract to digest for you. If you are tired you do not have the spare energy to do this!
The colour traditionally associated with the stomach & spleen is yellow / orange - so eating foods in these colours helps to support such as carrots, pumpkins & sweet potatoes.
The element would be earth - so root vegetables generally support.
The flavour is sweet - This is why root vegetables are supportive for the stomach & spleen because they are naturally sweet. It does not mean cakes, biscuits & chocolate! When our digestion is weak, specifically the spleen we often get the sugar munchies & we misinterpret the desire for “sweet” binging on say, cake, sweets & chocolate. However this consumption of excessive sweet foods actually makes us even more exhausted after the initial sugar high. While maybe having a “golden” carrot soup or roasted sweet potatoes or pumpkin would actually tonify, strengthen & sooth, ultimately giving us more nourishment & lasting energy.
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you from an Oriental perspective to support the stomach & spleen & your digestion please feel free to contact me.
