In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. With the constant bombardment of emails, texts, to-do lists, and daily responsibilities, paying attention to our bodies is often ignored—or completely forgotten. In response, the body usually begins to send “small” warning signs asking for these signals go unchecked for too long, they tend to grow louder and more difficult to ignore, sometimes becoming “out of control.” The longer a symptom is dismissed, the more serious it can become.
For this reason, it’s important to take stock of seemingly minor bodily functions as a way to ensure the body is working properly. Here are a few basic processes worth monitoring:
1. Bowel habits.
In Chinese medicine, digestion is foundational to overall health. Bowel movements should be regular and free from pain or urgency. Frequent belching, bloating, gas, or acid reflux can also be signs of imbalance.
2. Sleep.
Ideally, a person should be able to fall asleep with relative ease and remain asleep for at least seven hours. Frequent waking, vivid or disruptive dreaming, temperature fluctuations, or excessive tossing and turning are not considered optimal.
3. Pain.
In Chinese medicine, pain is often viewed as a sign of blocked or stagnant energy. When pain is frequent, persistent, or progressively worsening, it is an important signal that should be addressed.
Shifting focus toward bodily awareness may feel like a burden, especially when these functions have long been taken for granted. However, addressing small discomforts in the present can help prevent much larger problems in the future.
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