Digestion and affirmations
The state of our world is not ideal at the moment and it is affecting everyone's health, young and old alike, no matter what your background, etc. I always say to people that our Stomach and Spleen, digestive system, is not just about digesting food. It is about how we absorb life too. If we are not absorbing life well, which we are not at the moment, even if we are eating the healthiest of foods, we will not be getting the nutrition we require. Example, we can obtain B12 from beef but if our digestion is not functioning, beef will not be breaking down as it should leading to B12 deficiency. In TICM, we believe that emotional problems create an imbalance that when left unaddressed, can manifest into physical symptoms. We talk a lot about certain foods to eat, herbs to use and movements to incorporate to improve our health, but there things we can do on an emotional level. In a previous post, I discussed why affirmations are proven to be beneficial. Our beliefs and ideas about ourselves are often the cause of our emotional problems and physical maladies and how, by using certain tools, we can change our thinking and our lives for the better. One of my favourite tools are affirmations as whatever I tell my mind my body will naturally follow. For our Spleen and entire digestive system, the information we ingest is just as important as the food we eat. The Spleen transforms the food we eat into nutrients and transports them to the rest of the body. The Spleen ingests not only food, but every single bit of information that comes into the body through our sense organs. This is incredible and that's why in TICM we always say when eating a meal, do so without looking at your phone, reading a book or watching TV because your Spleen then has to work double time in order to simultaneously digest food and information. The intricate workings of the Spleen showcase the importance of what we ingest. When we worry, we tend to digest a particular thought over and over again. Have enough of these thoughts and they are often accompanied with a Stomach ache or nausea. If negative feelings and thoughts could impact the body this way, couldn't we use positive thoughts and words to improve our conditions instead? The Spleen is governed by the Earth element so it likes to feel grounded, secure and safe. When using affirmations to improve Spleen and digestive function, use affirmations like the following: I have faith and hope in my future, I am secure. My future is secure, I am confident, positive and successful. I am powerful. Use the following affirmation for Spleen health: "I love and approve of myself. I trust the process of life to be there for me. I am safe. All is well." Most affirmations that deal with digestive health reinforce overall trust and security with yourself and the universe.
