The Lost Art of Resting

Up until fairly recently, rest was built into our lives in a way that we probably didn’t even recognise.  Before mobile phones and endless TV options, we did stare out the window on journeys or read a book and rest in a way that we don’t often get chance to now.

We seem to live in a society that values busy-ness more than ever.  Instagram is full of stories of women “having it all” and the pressure we can feel is intense!  Even wellness has become a competitive and commercial activity - it’s exhausting and frankly it’s nonsense! In our overly pressurised and busy lives, the value of rest is under appreciated.

Resting isn’t doing nothing (although it can look that way) it’s an important part of our daily lives. Resting also isn’t the same as sleeping - it’s the downtime between activities that allows our nervous system to calm and for us to be still, to be present and peaceful and it can be harder than it looks!

Why is it important?

If your nervous system is always switched on and you’re living in a state of chronic low level stress, your body is constantly flooded with hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol which, over time, lead to inflammation in the body and begin to impact the way in which our other hormones behave.  Living in this state also signals to our body that we’re not safe, our body’s primary purpose is keeping us safe, so when it senses a threat (even if none is really there) it can de-prioritise other systems to protect us.  This can lead to issues with fertility, menstrual health problems and digestive or sleep issues to name a few.

The TCM view

In TCM, a woman's health is closely tied to her stores of Blood and Yin — the cooling, nourishing, restorative substances that support the menstrual cycle, mood, sleep and skin. Busy, hot, socially full-on seasons like summer tend to burn through both. Late nights, alcohol, sun exposure, travel and the mental load of coordinating a household all draw on Yin and Blood in a way that's easy to underestimate, because the depletion is quiet — it shows up as wired-but-tired evenings, shorter tempers, disrupted sleep, or a cycle that feels a bit off.

The Liver is the organ system most affected by stress and unexpressed frustration, and it's also the one responsible for keeping Qi and Blood flowing smoothly — which matters enormously for hormonal balance. A summer full of logistics, other people's needs, and constant reshuffling is exactly the kind of thing that causes Liver Qi to stagnate. Symptoms can include tension headaches, a tight jaw, breast tenderness, irritability, or a cycle that arrives with more impact on your mood than usual.

None of this means you did anything wrong. It simply means your body has been asked to do a lot, and it's now sending a fairly clear signal: slow down, rest and recover!

A few gentle ways to rebuild your energy through rest

• Protect one or two evenings a week as genuinely low-stimulation — no screens after dinner, an earlier night than feels necessary, a soak in the bath.

• Favour warm, cooked, easy-to-digest food over the summer's iced drinks and salads, especially in the mornings. This isn't about restriction, just giving your digestion (and therefore your energy) a break.

• If you get a lunch break from work - why not get outside and read a book in a local park or take a coffee and enjoy some peace and quiet just sitting rather than doom scrolling or running errands

• Small moments throughout the day can make a big difference - just 5-10 minutes can help your nervous system to relax and bring surprising benefits to your overall health and well-being

• Acupuncture itself is a wonderful reset: it's one of the few things that actively calms the nervous system while also supporting Blood and Yin, rather than asking more of you.

Most importantly - don’t feel guilty!  We’re so conditioned to be constantly doing something and being productive that those moments of rest can feel almost illicit! Embrace it and indulge yourself - you’ll feel better for it - x