Everything But Covid: Self-Care As Spiritual Practice

This is not normally the time of year that I would be writing about colds and flus, but this year is different: Because we spent the past year masked and distanced, many of us went through a long period of not having any colds or flus. Fortunately, COVID-19 cases are down now, but because people are beginning to be out and about again, interacting more closely with others, other colds and flus are spreading. So, I wanted to go over self-care practices that are integral to my approach to colds and flus, and are also practical tips should you find yourself getting sick.

Before I get into the practices, it’s important to convey the philosophy behind them. In Chinese medicine, colds and flus are seen as Wind, and Wind is an agent of change. Wind can come from both internal and external sources (with the internal often being associated with strong emotions and thoughts), but when talking about colds and flus these are specifically external factors. As we encounter an external pathogen our bodies first try to push it out. This happens often with a sneeze, or the stiffening of the neck and shoulders. Both of these are yang actions of the body acting as a first line of defense to push out the invading pathogen. If our body lacks the yang qi to push the pathogen out, or in other words there is a vulnerability in our immune system, then we get sick. Depending on the strength of the pathogen and the integrity of our immune system, symptoms and severity will vary.

Because Wind by its nature brings change, even with the most mundane seeming runny nose, there is opportunity. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to dig deep and try to figure out what is shifting in your life, though you may find it beneficial to take some time to reflect. What is important is that you tend to what is going on with your body. Rather than trying to push through and perform at a similar level as if you were well, take the time to rest and recover.

If you aren’t feeling well, coming in for acupuncture is not the best thing to do. You’re actually better off resting and doing some self-care until you begin to recover. Then, when the Wind has coursed through, you can return to treatment where we will work toward integrating the experience and making sure that the newly cleared space in your system works optimally.

So, here are tips and practices for when you are feeling unwell:

Avoid suppressive medications- Most over the counter cold and flu medications tend to suppress symptoms which can ultimately prolong illness or prevent it from fully moving out of your system. So instead, try one of the following practices.

Do a steam tent- Boil water, place it in a bowl, and add a few drops of essential oil such as eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, or lavender. You want to mainly use top notes (oils from leaves or peels) that have antiviral and antibacterial properties. Place a towel over your head and breathe in the vapors for at least 5 minutes. Do this twice a day when you have active symptoms. This can also be done a couple times a week for general maintenance.

Burn moxa on point ST36- Many of you that have been patients for a while have moxa on hand. It is a great thing to include in your medicine cabinet. It penetrates points like a needle (though it does so with infrared heat) and bolsters the production of white blood cells and increases the process by which they ingest and eliminate pathogens. Moxa also increases red blood cell count and hemoglobin, thus increasing oxygenation of organs and tissues. On a spiritual level, mugwort, the herb that is in moxa, facilitates change.

Rest- Often easier said than done, but the opportunity for the body to heal itself can be profound, and the process of stopping and letting the illness run its course often prevents us from having to deal with it again later, or in another form.

If you get sic and need more guidance, I am available for virtual appointments.

I hope you’re enjoying the warm months and the ability to see more faces.