Understanding Fear from the Perspective of Chinese Medicine
We are just days away from the Winter Solstice, the day of the year with the shortest amount of daylight and the official start to Winter. Many people dread the weeks surrounding the solstice because of the lack of sunlight. The longer hours of darkness can elicit feelings of fear, sadness, isolation, lethargy, and anxiety.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), each season is associated with specific elemental qualities, organ systems, and emotions. Winter is linked to the Water element, which is associated with the Kidney and Bladder organ systems and the emotion of fear.
Fear is a normal, powerful, and complex emotional response to a perceived threat, danger, or harm. It can manifest in various forms, such as anxiety, apprehension, or terror, and triggers physiological changes in the body, preparing it for a "fight or flight" response.
Fear is a fundamental aspect of human experience and can be both a protective mechanism and a source of personal growth and transformation. However, when fear becomes excessive or prolonged, it can disrupt our emotional and physical well-being.
The Kidneys are considered the storehouse of our essence. Fear weakens the Kidneys, disrupting the smooth flow of Qi and leading to imbalances that can manifest physically and emotionally. But it isn’t just the Kidneys affected and that is why there is no one size fits all treatment. There may also be involvement with the Heart, Liver, or Spleen organs.
Some examples of symptoms include:
Kidney-related issues: Backaches, fatigue, urinary tract infections, libido issues, night sweats, ear ringing, hair loss
Emotional imbalances: Anxiety, restlessness, lack of confidence or willpower
Digestive problems: Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, stomach pain
Sleep disturbances: Insomnia, nightmares
So How Can TCM help?
Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of recognizing the subtle energetic patterns associated with fear. Practitioners often consider whether the fear is a chronic or acute manifestation, its intensity, and specific triggers. This nuanced approach allows for a personalized treatment strategy that goes beyond symptom management to address the root causes. With acupuncture, herbal medicine, or any of the additional modalities we may use, our goal is to return your body to a state of homeostasis.
By understanding the interplay of the Five Elements, recognizing the subtle patterns of fear, and incorporating therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, Qi Gong, and Tai Chi, you can embark on a journey towards emotional balance and overall well-being. The wisdom of Chinese medicine encourages us to view fear not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity for transformation and growth.
Is there anything I can do at home?
When your body is in a constant state of fight or flight, one of the best things you can do is slow down. Winter is a great time to do this since it is the most Yin time of the year. Check out the blog post about how to align yourself with the Winter season here.
Oftentimes fear comes from an unpleasant or traumatic experience in your past. I thoroughly believe that everyone should explore the many different types of therapy and find one that works best for them. I also think there are therapeutic activities that you can do at home. I recently listened to a podcast about a journaling technique that involves four sessions of journaling for 15-30 minutes. This technique involves writing about your most traumatic or unpleasant experience, so it is not exactly a fluffy, feel-good exercise in the process, but the research is pretty solid on the positive outcomes. Below are the links to the episode on different platforms. If you use a different one than listed, search Huberman Lab Podcast: A Science-Supported Journaling Protocol to Improve Mental & Physical Health.
Prefer to read? Check out Pema Chodron’s book The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times.
“I must say a word about fear. It is life's only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life. It is a clever, treacherous adversary, how well I know. It has no decency, respects no law or convention, shows no mercy. It goes for your weakest spot, which it finds with unnerving ease. It begins in your mind, always ... so you must fight hard to express it. You must fight hard to shine the light of words upon it. Because if you don't, if your fear becomes a wordless darkness that you avoid, perhaps even manage to forget, you open yourself to further attacks of fear because you never truly fought the opponent who defeated you.”
― Yann Martel, Life of Pi