Setting Intention: Walking into the Weekend

It's Friday here at Wildflower Acupuncture and the rare Summer breeze blowing past our windows has us eager for a restful end to the work week.Time seems to have a funny way of slipping through our fingers in the Summertime, with plans on top of plans and days spent glistening under the hot, radiant sun.  Days turn to weeks turn to weekends, days moving by so quickly we might find it difficult to stop and set intentions for what we'd like our rest to look like.

In today's post, we'll exploring setting a tone for your rest periods, a resolution of sorts for your respite.

Body Balm

You've spend the week on your feet, whether wracking your brain putting our fire after corporate fire, or wrangling toddlers and catching your breath between nap times and snack breaks. Whatever your week is occupied with, you deserve to care for the vessel that's gotten you through.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does not look at rest as a luxury, only meant for those worthy enough to receive it, but rather one of the key pillars to one's everlasting, prolonged health and healing. The busy week you've had, filled with activity (the Yang), must be balanced with rest and rejuvenation (the Yin) in order to allow for peace within the body.

Here are a few things that TCM recommends for us to do while caring for our bodies:

• Finding an earlier bed time (think closer to 9PM or 10PM)

• Plenty of hydration with room-temperature or (preferably) hot water or teas with nourishing herbs

• Hot, soul-comforting meals based in broth or hot rice with whole foods like rich meats, veggies and legumes

• Gentle movement like walking, swimming and yoga to keep blood flowing without engaging in heavy, heat-raising exercise like weight lifting or sprinting.

For Mental Clarity

Now more than ever, the world is recognizing the importance of taking care of one's mental health as a part of a healthy and balanced routine. TCM has been recommending the consistent care of one's emotions for centuries. To take care of oneself in this way, it's important to know which organs in the body TCM tells us impact which emotional states. Here are the main organs:

• Heart: Houses the Shen (spirit) and controls joy and mental clarity. Too much excitement can stress and harm this organ, so it's important to step back from overstimulation if you need without shame.

• Liver: Keeps Qi flowing smoothly throughout the body. The liver holds onto one's anger and frustration, so being mindful of feeling overly stressed is important to manage the improper flow of liver Qi, which can cause mood swings.

• Spleen: Not only does this organ control worry and overthinking, but it also manages digestion, which can weaken if you're putting in too much mental work.

• Lungs: These manage the processing of grief and sadness. It's recommended to learn different deep breathing techniques to help clear this energy.

• Kidneys: The storage of deep vitality and fear. If you feel these emotions coming on, resting is vital to help quite the noise.

Spiritual Decompression

So your mind and body are sorted, but something still feels missing. You've eaten well and taken store of your emotional weight, but what can you do to bring that lasting sense of peace and relaxation you need to prepare yourself for another busy week?

Your spirit is calling to you, yearning for relief. Dr. Mann recommends several things to finally achieve the bliss you've been searching for.

• Mindful Meditation: We know it feels hard to even take ten minutes out of your day for yourself, but Dr. Mann encourages even taking the last few moments before bed just for you. Sit in a comfortable place, light a candle, play relaxing music and learn stillness within yourself. Taking even this tiny amount of time will make a difference with consistency and patience.

• Reconnect with Nature: When was the last time you sat on the beach, or walked through the beautiful California forests surrounding LA? Have you been meaning to take that gentle hike through the wildflowers, or sit in your garden and speak to your sprouts? This is your sign. Go back to nature, she's calling for you!

With your body, mind and spirit fulfilled, we hope that your weekend, your two days of rest, will have felt meaningful!

Final Thoughts

No matter what your days look like nowadays, remember that your mental and physical health are always of the utmost importance. You are worthy of time spent invested in your happiness, your spiritual clarity, and your corporeal wealth. So, take this time to set your weekend's intention. Seize but a moment of your day and call yourself home, remind yourself what you need.

You're worth it. Happy Friday :)

With love,

The Wildflowers