Common Concern: Restless Mind
A Biomedical View
There are some studies claiming that the Common Concern of Restless Mind [syndrome] mostly occurs at night. This of course coincides with chronic insomnia, but as a root cause. Restless Mind can also occur at any time but possibly worsen at night. This problem causes the mind to never calm or settle down with obscure, unsettling, or constant thoughts.
It usually is described as only in the [overactive] mind, without complaints of physical pain or severe distress. There can be an increased heart rate, worry, or a sense of accompanied anxiety. Other emotional stresses can also be associated with the Restless Mind.
Chronic health, family, business, religious, or lifestyle factors are all possible contributors to the Restless Mind.
Some biomedical ways to help relieve Restless Mind would be:
- Certain medications
- Meditation
- Talking to a friend
- Exercise
- Resolving unaddressed issues
- Change of lifestyle
- Diet change
- Seeing a psychologist
- Writing
- Listening to audiobooks
- Reading a book
- Playing a game
Traditional Chinese Medicine Point of View
Chinese Medicine is grounded; it sees the entirety of the human being as a microcosm of the macrocosm, the Earth. Simple rules of physics always apply to any and all of a person’s health or dis-ease related issues. Heat rises, cold consolidates. Dryness expands, wetness descends.
A problem occurring at night, like a restless mind, is seen as a problem with the natural, internal cycle that occurs throughout the day, of lifting and then descending, of expanding and then consolidating, breaking down. At night, a person’s energy should naturally transition from an up and expanding to the reverse, moving down and drawing in.
The process responsible for this function is in part the Kidneys and the Yin. If these functions are in any way depleted, the natural check-and-balance within the body, of the Yin controlling the expansion of Yang, with cease to function.
Often, a restless mind is a result of this daily cycle break-down. The Yin can no longer restrain, collect and consolidate the mind. This is like a herd of wild horses on the loose. Think of the Yin like a fence that can hold the herd in, calming, and redirecting it appropriately.
Certainly, a restless mind can be a result of other internal dysfunctions. Sometimes, the mind cannot be restrained because it is not being nourished, much like a crying baby who is lost, looking for its mother. In this case, the mind is more of a wanderer, not able to focus, mindlessly going to and fro, here and there. Perhaps, in the West, this could be considered a dementia-type problem.
The formula strategies, depending upon the patterns present and the severity thereof, are many. Formula strategy is a fun thing and much like an art form to a certain extent. Please see the following formulas below for excellent possible solutions or consult one of our wonderful and knowledgeable herbalists who aim to please and make you happy.