Balancing the 5 Emotions

Balancing the 5 Emotions of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Physical ailments can be overwhelming, especially if we do not take the time to understand their
emotional origin. Understanding what we are feeling can take us out of our heads and back into
our body by repairing the ill effects our emotions have on our organs. Each of the five emotions
in TCM, anger, joy, worry, grief, and fear, are connected to an organ, and unchecked emotions
can wreak havoc on how our body functions as a whole. TCM teaches that there is no separation
of body and mind. Stress from relationships, money, and politics can have an emotional and physical effect on the body. Identifying and understanding which emotion is most relevant to your stress can help you repair and rebalance your body through acupressure and medication.

Anger (Liver, Wood)

The Liver is associated with the emotion of anger. Feelings of anger, frustration, or resentment can cause stagnation of the liver’s Qi, leading to tension, headaches, and irritability. To help relieve built up and unreleased anger, and promote the flow of liver Qi, try applying gentle pressure to acupressure point Liver 3 (Tai Ching), which is located on the top of your foot, between the first and second toes.

Meditate by practicing deep breathing; try releasing anger by breathing in while visualizing the color green, which is associated with the liver, allowing calmness to replace frustration.

Joy (Heart, Fire)

The Heart is connected to joy. Joy is usually a positive emotion, but excessive joy like overexcitement or mania can lead to imbalances like anxiety, insomnia, or palpitations. To calm the heart and relieve feelings of anxiety, apply gentle pressure to the Heart 7 (Shen Men) point located at the wrist where the palm meets the forearm.

Mindfulness meditation can help promote a balanced feeling of joy. Focusing on being present can help release any overwhelming or erratic thoughts. Use this as an opportunity to recite a mantra to calm the mind.

Worry (Spleen, Earth)

The Spleen is connected to worry, overthinking, or excessive rumination. Excessive worrying can impair the Spleen’s ability to properly digest and distribute nutrients, leading to digestive issues, fatigue, bloating, low energy, and weakened immunity. Acupressure point Spleen 6 (San Yin Jiao) is located just above the ankle, and when pressed can help clear a ruminating mind, support digestive health, and promote a sense of stability.

Grounding meditation, like focusing on belly breathing and envisioning roots connecting your feet to the earth can help relieve worry and bring mental clarity.

Grief (Lungs, Metal)

The Lungs are linked with grief and sadness. Grief caused by loss or stress can constrict the lungs, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, respiratory issues, or chronic feelings of sadness. Located on the chest just below the collarbone is Acupressure point Lung 1 (Zhong Fu). Applying gentle pressure here can help release feelings of grief and sadness.

Cultivating a practice of gratitude meditation, the focus on things you are grateful for, can counterbalance feelings of grief. The color white is associated with the lungs, and visualizing white while you deep breathe can fill your chest with healing energy.

Fear (Kidneys, Water)

The Kidneys are tied to fear and a sense of security. Excessive or chronic fear can deplete the Kidney Qi, manifesting as fatigue, lower back pain, urinary issues, and general feelings of insecurity. Acupressure point Kidney 1 (Yong Quan) is located on the soles of the feet, and is ideal for grounding and calming fear, balancing kidney Qi, and restoring a sense of security.

Guided meditation paired with a comforting affirmation like “I am safe” can promote feelings of safety and security. Stress in an inescapable part of life, but succumbing to your emotions does not have to be.

Finding a balance between the stress and emotions of everyday life and personal well being can be achieved through mindfulness and meditation. Exploring the dominant emotional state one is experiencing provides a path to peaceful acknowledgment of how to process and heal. Creating space for conscious engagement in healthy mindfulness practices can prevent future manifestations of physical ailments.

Take a step back from what your mind is telling you to feel, and listen to what your body is telling you. Quiet the mind, let your body talk, and give it what it needs to come back to peace. If you are angry, practice taking deep, slow breaths when those feelings surface. If you are fearful, remind yourself of times and places you have felt secure, and put your energy towards reconnecting with those moments. Life is like a pendulum; while we are collectively experiencing an upswing of unease and uncertainty, a downswing is guaranteed before the equilibrium of rest is achieved. We will come out for the better if we can maintain our physical and mental health along the way.

Resources

https://goldenlightacupunctureny.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Five-Emotions-of-Chinese-Medicine.pdf

https://www.verywellmind.com/emotions-in-traditional-chinese-medicine-88196

The Five Emotions of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Understanding and Managing Stress through Acupressure and Meditation

The Transformative Power of Hypnosis

Discover how hypnosis can complement your existing wellness practices and open new doors to transformation. Guest blog by Sara Rahn of Compassionate Healing: Holistic Mental Health Services. 

Contrary to popular entertainment portrayals, hypnosis isn't about mind control or performing onstage. Clinical hypnosis is a natural, focused state of attention where the conscious mind relaxeswhile the subconscious becomes more receptive to positive suggestion, or suggestions of change.In this state, which is referred to as the trance state, you remain aware and in control—youcannot be made to do anything against your values or wishes. This state of heightenedsuggestibility allows for transformative work that can address deeply rooted patterns and behaviors that mindfulness alone might take years to uncover. This is an incredibly powerful tool considering modern neuroscience research shows most brain activity- around 90-95%- is on a subconscious level.

The American Psychological Association and American Medical Association have recognized hypnotherapy as a valid practice since 1958, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recommended it as an effective, noninvasive, none addictive treatment for chronic pain since 1995. The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, founded by Milton Erickson, has been the accrediting body for the practice of hypnosis and has been certifying professionals since 1957.

Key Benefits of Hypnosis

• Reduced Anxiety and Stress
  Hypnosis naturally induces a profound relaxation response in the body, lowering cortisol levels and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This physiological shift not only feels wonderful in the moment but teaches your nervous system how to return to this balanced state on its own. Most hypnosis techniques, overtime, can also be applied independently without the facilitation of a professional. It is the ultimate goal that these techniques can become life long integrative tools.

• Breaking Unwanted Habits
  From smoking cessation to weight management, hypnosis has shown impressive results in helping people overcome stubborn habits. By addressing the underlying subconscious patterns and emotional connections to these behaviors, hypnosis creates space for new, healthier choices. While in the trance state, the professional will aid in modifying the perception of the unwanted behavior and replace it with the desired change.

• Enhanced Performance
  Whether in sports, public speaking, or creative pursuits, hypnosis can help remove mental blocks and improve performance by aligning your subconscious beliefs with your conscious goals. During the trance state, the facilitator will address several blocks to success, including negative self-perception, preemptive nerves and ruminating thoughts. Hypnosis can also improve a persons visualization skills, facilitating the manifestation of a particular goal.

• Pain Management
  Studies have consistently shown hypnosis to be effective in managing both acute and chronic pain, sometimes reducing the need for medication and improving quality of life. Hypnosis works by influencing the brain's processing of pain signals, allowing individuals to dissociate from the sensation and experience it as less severe. Both the Veterans Health Administration and the Arthritis Foundation endorse hypnosis in the treatment of chronic pain.

The Hypnosis Experience

Clinical hypnosis should be provided by a licensed professional with appropriate credentialing. Like any comprehensive therapeutic intervention, hypnosis begins with gathering thorough background information from the client. The intake process includes discussion of relevant medical and psychological elements. This preparation allows the hypnotherapist to create a tailored plan designed to meet your specific needs.

During a hypnosis session, you'll remain comfortably aware throughout the experience. Most clients prefer to recline or lie down. The session begins with an induction phase, where the therapist guides you to focus on calming sensations. After your eyes comfortably close, a deeper sense of calm and peace is encouraged.

Clients often describe the resulting trance state as feeling similar to the twilight phase right before falling asleep. While in this state, the hypnotherapist explores the subconscious mind through various techniques. This process may include asking questions that elicit and uncover subconscious elements. Throughout the trance state, the hypnotherapist uses suggestive language and explores different aspects of the client's mind and body in alignment with their therapeutic goals. People typically feel deeply relaxed yet mentally alert—similar to that dreamy state just before falling asleep or just after waking. Many clients describe the experience as profoundly peaceful, refreshing, and insightful.

Taking the Next Step

If you've tried other modalities and other approaches but still struggle with certain patterns or issues, hypnosis might be the missing piece in your wellness journey. It offers a direct route to the subconscious mind where lasting change begins.

To learn more about hypnosis services and how they can support your personal wellness goals, or to schedule your first appointment, visit sararahn.com. Sara Rahn, a licensed therapist, has recently teamed up with MKE MindBody Wellness to offer hypnosis as a part of a comprehensive package. 

The Beauty of Bumbling Around Together

February is the earliest start of Spring energy and we begin to feel more restless for connection. This month, we have invited Madeleine Doelker-Berlin, owner of Wildflower Counseling, to write about cultivating friendships in adulthood.

The Beauty of Bumbling Around Together

As we get older, building meaningful connections often feels like an uphill battle. We’re BUSY—juggling jobs, possibly kids and their endless activities, pets, an ever-growing to-do list, and our own attempts at self-care. Friendships, unfortunately, get whatever time is left over—which isn’t much. Socializing becomes something we schedule weeks in advance, trying to make it worthwhile. It’s more controlled, more efficient, and more “perfect” than it used to be when we were younger.

Perfection and efficiency are what we’re taught to value. As we move through adulthood, we get better at it—not just in work, but in how we socialize. We learn to connect without revealing too much, to smooth out our quirks, and to keep the messier parts of ourselves neatly tucked away. We become experts at avoiding awkwardness, discomfort, and conflict. The result? More predictable interactions and minimal risk—but often, fewer deep, safe, and truly comforting friendships. Here’s the irony: the very strategies we use to avoid discomfort are the same things that prevent the connection we crave. Deep connections thrive in unpredictable, vulnerable, and messy social moments—the kinds of interactions we’ve learned to avoid. The better we get at the social game, the worse we get at creating true connections.

So, what can we do about this? Should we just dive headfirst into full vulnerability mode? Maybe… but that can be overwhelming, and it only works if the other person is on board. What if we started smaller? What if socializing wasn’t about efficiency (structured plans, dinner dates, drinks) or perfection (a spotless home, looking put-together, orchestrating the perfect hangout)? What if it was more about simply existing together? No agenda, no pressure—just showing up, sharing space, and letting real life unfold. Depth comes from experiencing life together and allowing others into the unpolished moments of our days.

I call this “bumbling around.” I know the word "bumbling" can sound negative to some of you, but it makes me think of bumblebees—endearing, intuitive, spontaneous, and fully in the moment in how they move through the world.

To understand this, let’s take a step back and look at how humans used to live. For most of history, we lived in close-knit communities. Humans are herd animals—we thrive in packs. We didn’t need to schedule time together because we were already deeply woven into each other’s daily lives. Indigenous cultures, agricultural societies, and early industrial communities all relied on one another for survival. Life wasn’t lived in isolation—it was shared, messy, and full of organic interactions. People lived close to each other, often in multi-generational households. They worked together, shared meals, ran errands side by side, and experienced life’s ups and downs as a community.

Fast forward to today: most of us live alone or with our immediate families. Terms like "coworkers" and "professionalism" create boundaries between us and the people we spend the most time with. Families may be distant, either geographically or emotionally. While there are good reasons for this shift toward individualism, it comes with a downside—a lack of deep, trusting connections. Though not without its challenges, the communal way of life kept us more closely connected.

This is where bumbling comes in. Bumbling happens when we stop treating time with friends as a means to an end. It’s saying yes to running errands side by side, inviting a friend over while you fold laundry or cook dinner. It’s going on a walk with no clear destination, lingering after a meal instead of rushing home, or sitting in comfortable silence without needing to entertain. It’s opening your door for Sunday lunch with no set agenda, leaving space for whatever might unfold. Bumbling means spontaneous hangouts, being open to changes of plans, or simply having no plan at all.

You’ve probably done this before! Think back to when you were younger. What did hangouts with friends look like?Did you wander around, discovering the world and getting into spontaneous mischief and adventure? Maybe you ended up by the lake, throwing random things into the water, or aimlessly driving around town, talking about life and blasting music. Maybe you had roommates and let the day unfold, seeing where life would take you. Why don’t we do that anymore as adults? Why don’t we “bumble” together anymore—letting life take us where it wants?

The beauty of bumbling goes beyond just having fun—it actually works wonders for our mental health. Spending time with friends in a spontaneous, unstructured way can lower stress and reduce cortisol levels. Plus, just being with someone without needing to impress them or stick to a plan allows us to bond more meaningfully. We show up as our true selves—quirks and all—and that builds trust and emotional closeness. It sparks creativity and fresh ideas. Those moments without agendas also remind us of our need for connection, which gives us a sense of support and belonging.All of this helps us feel more resilient when life throws us challenges.

So maybe it’s time we embrace the messy, spontaneous magic of bumbling with our friends again. Because when we let go of perfection and simply exist together, we find something far more valuable: real connection—the undeniable bond that happens when we have shared adventures.

Madeleine Doelker Berlin (LPC, IT)
Wildflower Counseling MKE
IG