For Sleepless Nights (Sequel) 🙏 A Prescription for Sleep to Moisten the Lungs
The Fourth Prescription
A Prescription for Sleep to Moisten the Lungs
Satisfying the dryness, drifting into sleep with gentle breathing
In Eastern medicine, the "lung" is not an organ that governs only breathing.
Along with the function of taking in qi and circulating it throughout the body, it plays a role in moistening the body and protecting it from the outside world.
And there is one more thing, often overlooked but important:
the lung is an organ deeply connected to emotions such as "sadness" and "a sense of loss."
An indescribable loneliness or a sense of emptiness that visits in a fleeting moment.
These quietly affect the lungs, making breathing shallow and robbing the body of its moisture.
At night, when you cannot sleep.
The cause may not be intense stress, but rather a vague feeling of dissatisfaction or groundless anxiety.
In Eastern medicine, this state is sometimes understood as a "lack of lung moisture."
The lungs are organs very vulnerable to dryness.
When the air is dry, breathing becomes shallow and the circulation of qi stagnates.
As a result, the body becomes unconsciously tense, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Modern living environments are by no means kind to the lungs.
Dryness from air conditioning, long conversations, life with masks, and air pollution.
All of these gradually rob the lungs of their moisture.
That is precisely why it is important to be conscious of "moistening the lungs" during the night hours.
The first thing to incorporate is adjusting the quality of the air.
Maintain moderate humidity in the room and create an environment that is not too dry.
Even without a humidifier, simply hanging a wet towel in the room can be effective.
Breathing is directly affected by the air.
Soft, moist air puts the lungs at ease and naturally makes breathing deeper.
The next important thing is "gentle breathing."
The breathing referred to here is not about inhaling deeply and heavily.
Rather, it is breathing that continues quietly and smoothly.
Inhale through the nose
Exhale a little longer
In the repetition of that, the area around the chest slowly expands and returns.
Just by feeling that sensation, the lungs gradually regain their moisture.
There is no need to try hard to regulate your breathing.
It is only important to "ensure it does not become rough."
Also, warm drinks help to moisten the lungs.
Slowly sip something with little stimulation, such as hot water or herbal tea.
By replenishing moisture from inside the body, breathing also becomes calmer.
In Eastern medicine, it is believed that the lungs are also connected to the skin.
Therefore, dry skin also reflects the condition of the lungs.
Apply light moisturizer after your bath.
Use gentle materials for clothing that touches your skin.
These small efforts also help to care for your lungs.
Furthermore, quiet sounds and soft scents provide a sense of security to the lungs.
Since the lungs are the organ that guards the boundary with the outside world, their function naturally stabilizes when you are in a 'safe environment'.
In Eastern medicine, there is a saying like this:
'The lungs govern Qi and control the skin and hair.'
This means that when the lungs are balanced, Qi spreads throughout the entire body, protecting even the surface of the body.
This function is also important for sleep.
When the lungs are moistened and breathing is regulated, the body feels 'protected' and can safely let go of tension.
Night is not a time to add something, but a time to recover what has been lost.
Gently restore dry breathing and fill the inside of your body with moisture.
In the quiet air, please try to breathe slowly.
With each breath, your body will gradually release its tension.
When the lungs are moistened,
sleep will come to wrap around you, deep and gentle.
