Some things we may be concerned about before a flight; Have I exceeded my number of suitcases in the airline’s luggage allowance? Are my suitcases or duffle bags overweight? Have I accidentally included liquids in my carry on? Did I remember to pack some necessities into my carry on just in case my luggage gets held up?
Things we think about currently when helping pack or taking duffle bags to Israel for soldiers or displaced families; Have I done enough? Do I have the correct paperwork to ensure that the baggage reaches its proper destination? Will the army equipment for the soldiers help fill the gap? Will the toys for the displaced children help fill their need and provide comfort? Will it fill my own void to feel like I am doing something beneficial to help the current dire situation?
Things we think about on a day to day basis unaffiliated with the current stressors; Have I done enough to help my family? Have I contributed to help my close knit community, or my community at large? What more can I do? How can I manage to promote self-care while having these feelings of inadequacy?
The common thread in each of these scenarios is the foundation of caring and chessed- or acts of kindness. It is a gold thread. It is born out of rightness and goodness and wanting to help. The guilt that comes along with not being sure if what we have done is enough. The need to fill our own feelings of void or emptiness, while there is so much that needs doing. This is what makes both our Jewish nation, and our kind friend’s and supports so strong. It is what enables us, as human beings, to go on and keep giving, keep doing, all the while feeling like it still isn’t enough.
We all bring to the table our own kind of ‘baggage’ from our previous life experiences. For some people even childhood trauma can shape and form their day to day lives. Every decision is made based upon where someone has come from, and how they have lived until that moment in time. For some people standard acts of kindness towards others may not come as easily, as they may not be givers by nature.
In all these cases, we may experience extreme stress and anxiety. It often carries forward causing physical pain in various parts of our bodies.
Acupuncture is incredible at relieving stress and anxiety, as well as promoting inner peace and harmony. Scientific studies of brain mapping show how the brain changes during Acupuncture. Receiving Acupuncture triggers the Acupuncture point location while activating the correlating region on the body. This allows neurotransmitters to be released in the brain making a chemical change in the body. It has an enormous direct positive impact on our immune system. It stimulates the autonomic nervous system by releasing norepinephrine and acetylcholine. This changes our reaction to stimuli so that the stress triggers do not affect us in the same manner. It literally aids in the fight or flight response that is innate in our makeup. It is also extremely beneficial in relieving pain. it is difficult to change the world around us during such grievous times. However, it is essential we do our utmost to both maintain wellness, support our bodies both emotionally and physically during such stressful erratic times, and ensure we get through this in the most wholesome way possible. This will safeguard and help keep our immune system at the best level to withstand any illness. Acupuncture is truly preemptive care at its best!
We cannot change the baggage we have been saddled with from our past. We cannot change the current grievous situation going on in our midst, and around the world. It harbors tremendous feelings of inadequacy, when so little is under our control. We can certainly do our utmost to ensure we get through this in the healthiest of ways. Incorporate Acupuncture into your wellness routine to give you the best support for optimal wellness. Support your overall mental and physical well-being. We will get through this together and be stronger as a result.