On February 16th we enter the Year of the Dog. In the Chinese Zodiac The Dog represents courage, loyalty and high moral character. Dogs look for ways to be of service to friends and family. They will often put everyone else’s needs ahead of their own. If we live in harmony with Dog energy, this will be a time to work together and enjoy a playful, active and nourishing year.
In the Winter rather than resist the cold and darkness this is the perfect time of year for quiet contemplation and reflection on those things that touch our hearts and nourish our souls.
“At this time you must not disturb or disperse the yang (the active, fiery) energy so that you can allow the yin reserves to be re-established within you.”
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Chinese Medicine
Interestingly, this is the season of the Kidney Energy, which rules the brain and the adrenals. To have a happy healthy life caring for our brains is central to well-being. All too often, in our culture, we have the gas pedal of stress in full acceleration. This keeps the adrenals in continuous fight-or-flight, which leads to chronic inflammation, and interferes with the nightly repair and detoxification our brains need for optimal health. Anger, fear, worry, irritability, depression, and even ongoing pain can all be symptoms of being in a state of overdrive.
Acupuncture, meditation, soothing music, etc. are useful for quieting our nervous systems. TV and movies can seem relaxing, but if a show is making you angry or depressed it’s probably a good idea to change channels.
When we bring home a new baby or even a puppy, most people will investigate how to care for and feed their new arrival, but somehow, it’s easy to assume that the brain doesn’t require special attention. The truth is that our brains can thrive or deteriorate based on how they are treated. This can open up a huge discussion about who’s voice inside of us is telling us to take care of our brains, but I’ll skip past that for now.
There is more to caring for our brains than working with the adrenal connection. Perhaps the most informative book about the brain is called, The End of Alzheimer’s. Dr. Bredesen, MD, wrote this book so that a lay person could implement his recommendations.
For anyone concerned about the health of their brain, Dr. Bredesen’s suggests people do something he calls a “Cognoscopy”. This is a set of diagnostic tests that look at inflammation, blood sugar, vitamin levels and various hormones.
I am happy to help clients implement Dr. Bredesen’s protocols. It’s quite a bit of information and lifestyle changes, so we can prioritize together and take things step-by-step.
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think,” said Christopher Robin to Winnie-the-Pooh.
The information in this newsletter is not intended to replace the relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge from research and experience of B. Mahler, LAc.
Barbara A. Mahler, LAc practices Acupuncture, Traditional Oriental Medicine, Functional Nutrition and Wellness Coaching.