Normal physical activities are beneficial to the flow of qi and blood, helping to maintain health and strengthening the body's ability to resist disease. Proper rest can relieve the weariness of the body and mind as well as restore physical strength and mental power. A balance between work and rest is what a normal life needs.
Any excess or insufficiency in either will harm the body and result in disease. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine suggests that: "Long period of standing impairs the bones; protracted watching injures the blood; lying in bed for a long time injures the qi; excessive walking injures the tendons; sitting for a long time impairs the muscles." It is necessary for us to have regular exercise but only to a moderate degree, as overdoing it can impair the liver and kidneys as tendons and bones are ruled by these organs. Moreover, it is also said that over-using the brain causes damage to the heart and spleen. The heart governs blood circulation and stores the shen (commonly translated as spirit), and the spleen corresponds to emotions and thoughts. Too much concentration and thinking most likely consumes the heart blood and damages spleen function leading to heart palpitations, absent-mindedness, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anorexia, abdominal distention and loose stools. Thus, being temperate in exerting the mind is also important for health maintenance.
Any excess or insufficiency in either will harm the body and result in disease. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine suggests that: "Long period of standing impairs the bones; protracted watching injures the blood; lying in bed for a long time injures the qi; excessive walking injures the tendons; sitting for a long time impairs the muscles." It is necessary for us to have regular exercise but only to a moderate degree, as overdoing it can impair the liver and kidneys as tendons and bones are ruled by these organs. Moreover, it is also said that over-using the brain causes damage to the heart and spleen. The heart governs blood circulation and stores the shen (commonly translated as spirit), and the spleen corresponds to emotions and thoughts. Too much concentration and thinking most likely consumes the heart blood and damages spleen function leading to heart palpitations, absent-mindedness, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anorexia, abdominal distention and loose stools. Thus, being temperate in exerting the mind is also important for health maintenance.
Occupational problems commonly arise in three main groups:
1. Physical: each occupation has their characteristic hazards to health. For example: the prolonged hunched-seated posture of dentists causes neck and upper back issues; the wear and tear on joints of farm hands; the leg circulatory problems of those who stand for prolonged periods of time without movement; the tinnitus or hearing issues seen in DJ's and loud factory workers.
2. Mental-Emotional: the majority of people suffer, to a greater or lesser degree, from dissatisfaction with their occupation; from boredom, apathy, frustration, micro-agressive behavior, depression or general stress. Retirement, and loss or lack of job, can give rise to similar emotions.
3. Overworking may result from one more of the following reasons: insecurity, greed, peer pressure, perfectionism, ambition - whether for money, power or fame or desire to further a political, religious, or charitable cause - and so on. Also, a particular loss, or a generally dissatisfied life, may result in individuals immersing themselves in work, or other vices or distraction like alcohol, drugs, sex or food, drama.
Work basically translates to activity, which means working excessively will deplete Yang Qi, the movement aspect of our bodies. Overworking in general tends to injure Kidney Qi, Kidney Yang, and Spleen Yang Qi. While too much mental work and study are said to injure our spleens. Also, too much straining may damage aspects of the heart function.
1. Physical: each occupation has their characteristic hazards to health. For example: the prolonged hunched-seated posture of dentists causes neck and upper back issues; the wear and tear on joints of farm hands; the leg circulatory problems of those who stand for prolonged periods of time without movement; the tinnitus or hearing issues seen in DJ's and loud factory workers.
2. Mental-Emotional: the majority of people suffer, to a greater or lesser degree, from dissatisfaction with their occupation; from boredom, apathy, frustration, micro-agressive behavior, depression or general stress. Retirement, and loss or lack of job, can give rise to similar emotions.
3. Overworking may result from one more of the following reasons: insecurity, greed, peer pressure, perfectionism, ambition - whether for money, power or fame or desire to further a political, religious, or charitable cause - and so on. Also, a particular loss, or a generally dissatisfied life, may result in individuals immersing themselves in work, or other vices or distraction like alcohol, drugs, sex or food, drama.
Work basically translates to activity, which means working excessively will deplete Yang Qi, the movement aspect of our bodies. Overworking in general tends to injure Kidney Qi, Kidney Yang, and Spleen Yang Qi. While too much mental work and study are said to injure our spleens. Also, too much straining may damage aspects of the heart function.
Of course, at Herbal-Pal®, we understand that sometimes modern work demands are just unavoidable. Register and learn with us about how to minimize the harm even if you have to overwork or work in other ways that’s against nature but required by your job responsibilities on a regular basis.