The Power Of The Pause

I just got back from 9 glorious days exploring Italy, primarily Tuscany. If you've never been, you must go. If you have been, you must go back. The views are spectacular with every turn. The food is extraordinarily delicious. The people are incredibly kind. It's all blissfully wonderful, but what struck me the most was the pace. People moved with ease. Meals took at least an hour, and most restaurants didn't open until after 7:00pm. If I had to pick a phrase to describe the vibe, it would be this....why rush?

I can't remember if what I'm about to describe is something I read in an article, heard on a podcast or saw on a YouTube video, but for the life of me I can't remember where this came from, hence why I also can't provide a source, but I clearly remember the point of the message. As humans way back during caveman times, we were designed to deal with intense spikes of stress, perhaps running from an animal or seeking protection from a storm, but then afterwards humans would rest for a really long time.....like weeks. It would take that long for the nervous system to decompress from the heightened stress, which today we can think of as trauma.

In a day and age where people are exposed to all kinds of stress all the time, whether it's from job demands, family matters, current affairs, etc., as well as the fast pace of our society, where does the rest fit in?

From my perspective as an acupuncturist, rest must be prioritized. Exposure to continuous stress can lead to Kidney Qi Deficiency, which can then lead to a number of different patterns of disharmony in the body. The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys, and according to my master, these are considered part of the Kidney organ in Chinese Medicine. The more stress that one is exposed to, the more it taxes the Kidneys (and adrenals). Adrenal fatigue is not an uncommon condition that develops after prolonged periods of stress.

Obviously these days it's difficult to fit in weeks of rest like the cavemen were able to do, but ultimately rest is a choice. Consider these choices....

1. Limit the stressors that you can control. When dealing with family and work obligations, it's difficult to limit the stressors that come with these responsibilities. Wherever you can, limit other stressors such as the time spent watching the news and scrolling on social media.

2. Prioritize sleep. Sleep resets the body in so many ways, which is why it's so important to have a solid sleep routine. Do your best to go to bed consistently at the same time (ideally by 10:00pm). Turn off screens an hour before bed and spend that time winding down. Some find reading a book helps them ease into sleep.

3. Take time off. Some US companies are becoming more generous with their paid time off benefits, and if your employer is one of those companies, take advantage of it. Time away from work can give the mind a chance to rest, making work easier upon returning to the office. Sometimes only an afternoon off is needed but sometimes several weeks or even months off is necessary. 

4. Get acupuncture. The rest period during an acupuncture session is one of the most important aspects of a treatment. The treatment enhances and expedites the body's ability to heal itself, and much of that happens while resting with needles.