There are two different kinds of energy that influence our well-being and emotions — the external energy and our individual energy. In many emotional states, especially those involving strong negative emotions, the emotional energy is almost as palpable as physical energy. In order to keep your physical body healthy, your emotions must be stable. An important part of being emotionally stable is being grateful for what you have and are given. Below are some tips on using your feelings of gratitude to overcome stressful times.
Turn the Bad into Good
In my practice I have worked with many cancer patients to help improve the quality of their lives during and after cancer treatment. I have found that serious illnesses can be empowering and serve as a wake-up call for patients to change their lives, both physically and emotionally.
Overcoming an illness like cancer can provide courage and impetus to make changes that people usually wouldn’t make — like resolving a long-standing conflict with another person or pursuing a dream that had previously been crushed under the weight of an unfulfilling life. Use the bad or negative happenings in your life to be grateful for what is working in your life and the support system that helps you to move past the roadblocks.
Be Self-Aware
When a feeling arises in reaction to a situation, become aware of the true feeling and acknowledge it. The emphasis should be on the true feeling rather than a false, rationalized feeling. By acknowledging your true feelings you can prevent unconscious emotional suppression and then work on moving past those emotions, rather than holding on to them.
Negative emotions cannot only add stress to your life, but they can negatively affect your physical health. Stress and anxiety are two negative emotions that plague many people, and can lead to debilitating physical symptoms. Instead of focusing on the negative emotions, focus on the good that came out of the negative situation, such as what you learned from the experience.
Transform Your Thoughts
Convert your emotional energy to health-enhancing energy. Through meditation, acupressure, and mind-body exercises like Tai Chi and Qi Gong, you can promote the ceaseless circulation of your internal energy and convert emotions into beneficial physical or spiritual energy.
I teach my patients to activate acupoints along the lung to large intestine and liver to gallbladder energy networks while reciting, “I release sadness and anger from my lungs and liver and fill my being with empathy and confidence.” This technique can correct any imbalance that the emotions may have caused and transform the emotional energy into productive physical energy.
Appreciate the Little Things and Relax
If you find yourself having a tough day or are feeling stressed, pause and look around at all the small things in the world that make you happy — whether it is your child’s smile, a beautiful sunset, or an easy drive to work. Appreciating all the small things that are working in your life might make the negative seem a little less important.
Relaxing during your day is essential to maintaining good physical and emotional health. Meditating and practicing Qi Gong will help put your mind in a better space and release tension left over from a long day. If you are interested, check out my “Meditations for Stress Release” CD. It will walk you through the process of releasing your daily stress and bringing yourself back to center.
May you Live Long, Live Strong, and Live Happy!
Dr. Mao Shing Ni, best known as Dr. Mao, is a bestselling author, doctor of Oriental Medicine and board certified anti-aging expert. He practices acupuncture, nutrition and Chinese medicine with his associates at the Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica, a Wellness Medicine group that won the “L.A.’s Best” Award. Dr. Mao and his brother, Dr. Daoshing Ni founded Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica over 25 years ago. In addition, he is the cofounder and Chancellor of Yo San University in Venice/Marina del Rey. To subscribe to a free newsletter please visit www.taoofwellness.com To make an appointment for evaluation and treatment please call 310-917-2200 or you can email Dr. Mao at contact@taoofwellness.com
