The Heart

The heart is one of our most vital organs. It pumps blood throughout our bodies to transport oxygen and nutrients to our cells and remove waste and toxins.  It is the hardest working muscle in our bodies, and without it there is no life.  

In the hierarchy of our internal organ systems, all other organs are subordinate to the heart. This means that all other organs will sacrifice energy to the heart when needed to help maintain its balance. Maintaining a balanced heart ensures that blood circulates smoothly and freely throughout your body. If there is imbalance you may experience sweating, heart palpitations, and flushing or paleness in the face. 

The heart is responsible for more than just storing and pumping blood. It houses our Shen, which is our mind or spirit. As the storehouse of Shen, the heart regulates our emotions, consciousness, and other mental functions. With a healthy heart, we can think clearly and rationally and are not easily overcome by our emotions. 

Additionally, this is the source of our feelings of calm and inner peace, as well as our ability to cultivate healthy relationships. Disruptions to Shen caused by heart imbalance manifests in restlessness, poor concentration, memory loss, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. 

Taking care of your heart is essential to your health and wellbeing. Things like inactivity, poor sleep quality, high stress, smoking, and poor diet will all pull your heart out of balance, which in turn will put strain on the rest of your body’s systems. To improve your heart health, consider trying the following: 

• Ensure you are moving and active throughout your week. 
• Practice better sleep hygiene to improve sleep quality. 
• Reduce your stress levels with acupuncture and meditation. 
• Quit smoking. 
• Eat red foods like beets, tomatoes, and red beans to nourish your heart. 

What is Shen? 

Shen is the spirit or presence of a person. It is associated with consciousness, the capacity of the mind to form thoughts, and the desire to live life.