Anger is the emotion associated with springtime in Traditional Chinese Medicine. For most of us, we consider anger a bad emotion, something to avoid or get rid of, so why would it be one that TCM would shine a light on? Well, no emotion is inherently good or bad, it’s how we deal with challenging emotions that can end up hurting ourselves or those we love.
According to TCM, springtime is a very yang time of year, full of new energy and growth in nature, and in us. In humans, when growth or change occurs in our lives, there often is a catalyst, something we’re not satisfied with or something we’re inspired by, something compelling enough to move us to make a change.
Anger can be a very compelling emotion. When anger is channeled into action, it can be very powerful. All of this to say, TCM connects the high energy and potential growth of springtime with anger, a strong catalyst for growth if it’s acknowledged and channeled well.
Of course, it’s not a given that when we feel anger, we’ll be able to use it to catalyze an important change or even recognize why we’re angry in the first place. Too much anger can also cause harm to the physical body over time.
One of the most common causes of anger, according to TCM, is chronic or acute stress resulting in energy stagnation, especially in the liver. The liver is responsible for the healthy flow of qi around the body. When qi is stuck in our bodies, emotions too can become stuck, and hard to express or even identify.
According to TCM, there are several modalities that can help the flow of qi and emotion in our bodies.
- Acupuncture for anger management is a great modality for supporting the healthy flow of qi through the liver.
- Stretching helps release blood and qi through the body and into the tendons, maintaining a healthy physical body.
- Eye exercises help support the health of the liver and vice versa. The liver is partly responsible for the function of the eyes. Remember to take breaks from looking at computer or phone screens throughout the day.
- Eating greens helps maintain healthy liver function and the movement of qi.
- Spending time outside, especially combined with exercise, helps qi movement and overall mental health.
Qi stagnation is very common, especially in springtime as we move out of the lower energy of winter. But when qi is flowing smoothly, we can fully engage with all the opportunities springtime can provide. Getting seasonal acupuncture tune-ups is a great way to stay healthy all year long.
