"It's not just in your head that you can't sleep": Sleep self-care by autonomic nervous system and blood deficiency type
"I can't seem to fall asleep even after getting into bed," or "I finally fell asleep, but I wake up many times in the middle of the night"—don't you have nights like that too?
Are you dismissing your sleep troubles as just "fatigue" or "stress"?
In Eastern medicine, it is believed that the reason you cannot sleep is always related to your "constitution". If you diagnosed your type in the previous article, this is where the real work begins.
Click here for the previous article ⬇️
Today, I will focus specifically on "autonomic nervous system imbalance" and "blood deficiency type" to explain the real causes of sleepless nights and the self-care you can start tonight.
Not being able to sleep might be a sign that you are lacking "blood"
In Eastern medicine, sleep is deeply connected to "blood" (ketsu).
Blood not only delivers nutrients to each organ in the body, but also has the function of calming the mind and stabilizing the spirit.
As an acupuncturist seeing many patients, I see a tendency toward blood deficiency in many people who have light sleep or difficulty falling asleep."Heart" (shin)—the organ considered to govern mental activity in Eastern medicine—is stabilized when it is sufficiently filled with blood. When blood is insufficient, nutrients do not reach the heart, leading to increased anxiety and more frequent dreaming.
If you were diagnosed as blood deficiency type in the previous article, this may very well be the root cause of your sleepless nights.
Autonomic nervous system and blood deficiency actually have a deep connection
Many of you may already know the term "autonomic nervous system," but the balance between the "sympathetic nervous system," which puts the body in activity mode, and the "parasympathetic nervous system," which puts it in rest mode, greatly influences the quality of sleep.
What I want you to know here is the relationship between this autonomic nervous system and blood deficiency.
In a state where blood is insufficient, the body constantly harbors a sense of crisis that it is "lacking," making the sympathetic nervous system more likely to become dominant.In other words, even at night, the body does not switch well to "rest mode," creating a vicious cycle of not being able to sleep or having light sleep.
Please try to interpret sleepless nights as a sign from your body saying, "replenish my blood."
3 sleep self-care tips you can start tonight by type
1. Have a warm drink to "replenish blood" 30 minutes before bed
For the blood deficiency type, the habit of "blood replenishment" (hoketsu) to nourish the body from the inside is very important. Recommended hot drinks before bed are rooibos tea or black bean tea. Both are representative ingredients in Eastern medicine for "replenishing blood," and they are slightly sweet and perfect for relaxing time before bed.
There are an increasing number of tea bag types that are easy to try. Here are the items I have actually tried and felt warmed my body ⬇️ please take a look.
2. Calm your mind by pressing the "Shenmen" acupoint
The "Shenmen" point, located on the inside of the wrist on the extension of the little finger, is "Shenmen" is a point in Eastern medicine said to act directly on the "Heart" (shin). It relieves anxiety and tension and prepares your feelings for sleep.
The method is very simple.
1. Place the thumb of the opposite hand on Shenmen
2. While exhaling, press slowly for 5 seconds
3. While inhaling, slowly release
4. Repeat this 5 times for each side
The fact that it can be completed in 1-2 minutes before getting into bed is a point that makes it easy to continue. Using moxibustion in combination with acupressure adds a warming effect and is recommended. I introduce easy-to-use moxibustion items for beginners here ⬇️.
3. Support blood circulation from your feet with "compression tights"
For those with blood deficiency type, blood circulation tends to stagnate, and coldness or swelling in the feet is often directly linked to difficulty falling asleep. Therefore, I recommend compression tights.
Because moderate pressure pushes blood up from the ankles to the calves and thighs, it promotes stagnant blood circulation and makes it easier for the whole body to warm up. Even from the perspective of Eastern medicine, adjusting the "circulation of qi and blood" in the feet is directly linked to calming the mind and creating a state where it is easy to fall asleep.
When choosing, pick ones that are not too tight. Types designed for sleeping with gentle pressure are especially recommended.
Sleepless nights are a chance to listen to your body's voice
The ailment of "not being able to sleep" is never just in your head, nor is it something you should endure.It is a sign that your body is telling you, "take better care of me."
Replenish blood and calm your mind. This small accumulation will change the quality of your sleep and eventually bring changes to your physical strength and energy during the day. First, try just one thing tonight.
Knowing your own constitution and choosing care that suits you—Eastern medicine is a toolbox for that.
Next time, I plan to deliver sleep care for those with qi deficiency type. If you haven't read the previous diagnosis article yet, reading it as well will help you face your own body more deeply.
I will continue to share tips for adjusting the mind and body from the perspective of an acupuncturist.
I would be happy if you follow and like my posts 🌿