Ep 14: Insomnia – Anxiety – Burnout: A Perspective from Traditional Medicine

Contents

• Insomnia – A Sign of Internal Imbalance

• Anxiety – When "Liver Qi" is Stagnated

• Burnout – The Decline of the Spleen and Kidney Foundation

• The Trend of Returning to Eastern Medicine

• Conclusion

1. Insomnia – A Sign of Internal Imbalance

According to Eastern Medicine, sleep is not merely a state of rest but a manifestation of the harmony between the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney.

When the body endures work pressure, repressed emotions, irregular lifestyle habits, or excessive exposure to electronic devices, the "Shen" (Spirit) becomes unsettled, the "Qi" (Energy) becomes blocked, and the "Blood" becomes insufficient to nourish the mind. This leads to difficulty falling asleep, fitful sleep, or waking up in the middle of the night.

Physicians refer to this as "Digital-Age Insomnia," a state where the brain is constantly active, but the body lacks the internal resources (Inner Power) to maintain balance.

2. Anxiety – When "Liver Qi" is Stagnated

In Traditional Medicine, anxiety is not solely a psychological issue but is closely linked to Liver Qi. When Liver Qi fails to flow freely (a condition known as Liver Qi Stagnation), patients often experience:

• A sensation of restlessness and discomfort.

• Irritability and emotional sensitivity.

• Chest tightness and shallow breathing.

• Poor appetite or digestive issues.

Therefore, anxiety is not an isolated symptom but a consequence of a functional disorder within the internal organ system.

3. Burnout – The Decline of the Spleen and Kidney Foundation

Burnout—or "Deficiency Consumption" (Hư lao) in Eastern Medicine—is the long-term depletion of Spleen Qi (the ability to transform food into energy) and Kidney Qi (the foundational energy source). Common symptoms include:

• Chronic fatigue with slow recovery.

• Cold hands and feet, general lethargy.

• Back pain and a feeling of heaviness in the head.

• Poor memory and lack of concentration.

• Digestive disorders or susceptibility to colds.

These are signs that the body’s "reserves" have been drained over a long period without being properly replenished.

4. The Trend of Returning to Eastern Medicine

Many people are turning to Eastern Medicine not only for its effectiveness but for its holistic treatment philosophy: slow down, adjust deeply, and restore from the root.

Some widely applied methods include:

• Acupuncture: To calm the Spirit (An Shen) and regulate Qi and Blood.

• Acupressure & Massage: To relax the body and release stress.

• Herbal Medicine: Using herbs like Passion Flower (Lạc tiên), Sour Jujube Seed (Táo nhân), Astragalus (Hoàng kỳ), and Dong Quai (Đương quy).

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Tailoring diet, sleep, and exercise to one's body constitution.

• Meditation & Qigong: Breathwork to soothe the nervous system.

The common goal of these therapies is to restore the stability of the internal organs, thereby naturally improving sleep and reducing anxiety.

5. Conclusion: Health Care from the Roots

Insomnia, anxiety, and burnout are not merely isolated problems; they are warnings that the body has deviated from its state of balance. The Eastern Medicine approach reveals that recovery is not about a "quick fix," but a journey to reconstruct the Heart – Liver – Spleen – Kidney axis while adjusting one's lifestyle.

When the body is properly nourished, sleep will return naturally, the mind will stabilize, and vital energy will be sustainably regenerated.