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Copywriting丨Dr. Li's health protection
Editor丨Dr. Li Health Guard
Autumn is the most comfortable and pleasant season of the year. For some people, autumn can bring some uncomfortable symptoms, especially heart discomfort. Symptoms such as palpitation, chest tightness, etc., seem to become more pronounced during this season.
How to better take care of your heart in autumn? This article will introduce you to three easy-to-learn acupuncture points to nourish the heart, so that you can easily drive away the panic and chest tightness and enjoy a beautiful autumn day.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that autumn is golden, corresponding to the lungs. The lungs are adjacent to the heart, and a lack of lung qi can affect heart function. In autumn, the temperature changes greatly, and the temperature difference between day and night is obvious, which can easily cause an imbalance of yin and yang in the body, resulting in a lack of heart qi.
Western medicine believes that the drop in temperature in autumn will cause blood vessels to constrict, increase blood pressure, and increase the burden on the heart. In addition, the large temperature difference between day and night may also cause autonomic nervous system dysfunction, leading to symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness.
In the face of these potential health risks, it is particularly important to nourish the heart. Acupressure is a simple and effective way to nourish the mind, which is easy to operate and can be performed anytime, anywhere. The following three acupuncture points, which are massaged every day, can effectively improve heart function and relieve symptoms of palpitation and chest tightness.
The first acupuncture point is the Neiguan acupoint. The Neiguan acupoint is located 2 inches on the wrist horizontal stripe, between the two tendons. This acupuncture point is closely related to the heart meridian and pericardial meridian, and massage can regulate the heart rate and relieve symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the Neiguan acupoint is the meridian point of the pericardial meridian of the hand and yin, which has the effect of calming the heart and calming the nerves, regulating qi and activating blood.
Western medicine research has shown that stimulation of Neiguan acupoints can affect the autonomic nervous system and regulate heart function. Pressing the Neiguan acupoint with your thumb for 1-3 minutes a day can significantly improve the symptoms of heart discomfort.
The second acupuncture point is the Shenmen acupoint. The Shenmen point is located at the ulnar end of the wrist stria and the radial depression of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon. This acupuncture point is the original acupoint of the Hand Shao Yin Heart Sutra, which has the effect of strengthening the heart and calming the nerves. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the Shenmen acupoint can regulate the heart qi and stabilize the mind.
Western medicine research has found that stimulating the Shenmen acupoint can improve heart rate variability and help relieve anxiety. Gently rubbing the Shenmen acupoint with your index finger for 2-3 minutes a day can help relieve symptoms such as palpitation and insomnia.
The third acupuncture point is the Xinyu acupoint. The Xinyu acupoint is located under the spinous process of the 5th thoracic vertebra on the back, 1.5 inches apart. This acupuncture point is the dorsal Yu acupoint of the Heart Sutra and has a direct impact on the function of the heart. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the Xinyu acupoint can regulate the heart yang and nourish the heart qi.
Western medical research has shown that stimulating the Xinyu acupoint can improve the blood supply to the myocardium and enhance heart function. Pressing the Xinyu acupoint with the middle finger for 1-2 minutes every day can effectively improve symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness.
The massage method of these three acupuncture points is simple and easy to learn, but the results are very remarkable. Massaging these points daily can improve heart function and improve overall health. It should be noted that acupressure is safe and effective, but it is not a complete substitute for professional medical treatment. If you have severe symptoms of heart discomfort, you should still seek medical attention promptly.
In addition to acupressure, there are a few other ways to nourish the mind in the autumn that are worth trying. Moderate exercise is a good option to enhance cardiopulmonary function and improve blood circulation. Autumn is cool, making it ideal for outdoor sports such as walking, jogging, or tai chi. However, it is important to avoid strenuous exercise so as not to put too much strain on the heart.
Diet is also an important aspect of nourishing the heart in autumn. In autumn, you should eat more warm and nourishing foods, such as yams, red dates, longan, etc. These foods can nourish the heart and nourish the blood. It is necessary to limit the intake of high-fat, high-salt foods so as not to increase the burden on the heart. It is also important to drink plenty of water to help maintain blood viscosity and reduce the burden on the heart.
Getting enough sleep is also essential for heart health. In autumn, the days are short and the nights are long, so you should adjust your work and rest time appropriately to ensure adequate sleep. A good night's sleep can help the heart get well-rested and rejuvenated. If you experience insomnia, you can try to improve your sleep quality by massaging the acupoints mentioned earlier, or soaking your feet and listening to soft music.
Maintaining a good mindset is also the key to cultivating the heart. Autumn tends to be melancholy, which may be related to the short days and long nights, and the weakening of yang energy. Maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude, connecting with family and friends, and participating in some fun social activities can help regulate emotions and reduce psychological stress, which can be beneficial to heart health.
It is worth mentioning that the views of TCM and Western medicine on heart health are different, but they actually complement each other. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes overall balance, focusing on the regulation of yin and yang, qi and blood; Western medicine is more concerned with specific physiological mechanisms and pathological changes. Combining the two can protect heart health more holistically.
For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, "the heart is the master of the gods", emphasizing the close relationship between the mind and spiritual activities. This coincides with the link between heart function and emotional state that Western medicine has discovered. Whether from the perspective of Chinese medicine or Western medicine, maintaining a good attitude is an important aspect of nurturing the mind.
Autumn nurturing the mind requires a lot of effort. Acupressure, moderate exercise, proper diet, adequate sleep, and maintaining a good attitude are all indispensable. Adhering to these heart-nourishing methods can drive away panic and chest tightness, and can also improve the overall level of physical and mental health.
Autumn is a harvest season, and it should also be a healthy harvest season. Through scientific heart cultivation methods, everyone can have a strong and powerful heart in this beautiful season and enjoy the beauty of autumn to the fullest. Let's take action together, take care of our hearts, and welcome a healthier and better life!
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!