Emotions and the Metal Element The Lungs are associated with sadness, sorrow and grief, and when these emotions are present in excess, they tend to weaken the Lungs (some of you may be familiar with the cough that can come up out of the blue for those that are grieving a significant loss).
The organs most affected by emotional states are the heart, liver and spleen. Excessive emotions result in specific effects on the internal organs: Grief and melancholy injure the lungs.
Researchers found that certain emotions could be grouped together – for example, anger, anxiety and fear were all associated with strong sensations in the chest area.
In Chinese medicine, the Lungs are considered to be the storehouse of fluid for the whole body. They are the primary organ in the Metal Element. Lung energy is fed by the “Zong”(gathering) Qi, which helps to maintain the function of the energies in the chest.
According to TCM theory, grief is related to the lungs and the metal element. The lungs are our first line of defense against external pathogens, and their primary function is to disperse and disseminate Qi throughout the rest of the body.
Unresolved Grief can cause long-term contraction of the Lungs and affect the dispersing of nutrients and Qi/life energy through the body. Most people are unaware that taking long, deep breaths during a meditative state can help with unraveling grief constructively by nourishing the Yin of the Lung.
When someone is sad, they hold their breath and oxygen is decreased. The emotional blockage of not letting go and the symptom of grief affects the receiving and letting go action of the lungs.
The heart chakra directly affects the heart, lungs, chest, arms, and hands. When misaligned, poor circulation, high or low blood pressure, and other heart and lung conditions can result. Issues that can occur in the body can also include infections of the lungs, bronchitis, and circulatory problems.
The lung meridian in the human body is a 'lung Qi energy highway'. Lung Qi, also known as Wei Qi defends the exterior surface of the body protecting it against outside pathogens, including excess wind, heat or dampness.
The lungs are the foundational organs of the respiratory system, whose most basic function is to facilitate gas exchange from the environment into the bloodstream. Oxygen gets transported through the alveoli into the capillary network, where it can enter the arterial system, ultimately to perfuse tissue.
Emotional information is stored through “packages” in our organs, tissues, skin, and muscles. These “packages” allow the emotional information to stay in our body parts until we can “release” it. Negative emotions in particular have a long-lasting effect on the body.
Two key areas of the brain are activated by shame: the prefrontal cortex and the posterior insula. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain associated with moral reasoning. This is where judgements about the self occur. The posterior insula is the part of the brain that engages visceral sensations in the body.
Along with the emotional baggage it carries, extreme sadness can cause distinctive physical sensations in the chest: tight muscles, a pounding heart, rapid breathing, and even a churning stomach. As you can see on the body map, survey respondents pinpointed the chest as a major spot for the manifestation of sadness.
The Lungs are associated with sadness, sorrow and grief, and when these emotions are present in excess, they tend to weaken the Lungs (some of you may be familiar with the cough that can come up out of the blue for those that are grieving a significant loss).
Respiratory system – Stress can make you breathe harder, which can cause problems for people with asthma or a lung disease, such as emphysema. In addition, stress can lead to hyperventilation (rapid breathing) and panic attacks in individuals prone to panic attacks.
Guilt, Fishkin says, is associated with activity in the prefrontal cortex, the logical-thinking part of the brain. Guilt can also trigger activity in the limbic system. (That's why it can feel so anxiety-provoking.)
You can tap, press or brush along this meridian to flush the Qi and clear any blockages, thus supporting your lungs and bronchial tubes. And, as always, breathe. Tapping—use one or two finger pads to tap 4-6 times on the points as indicated and then along the meridian.
The first point is the hollow space under the collarbone. The point is located between the first and second rib. You can locate this point on both sides. Apply gentle pressure on these points.
Wrap your fingers around the upper arms and your thumbs will naturally land in the hollow space under the clavicle, and above the armpit crease. The point is located on the lateral edge of the chest, between the first and second rib (sometimes level with the second rib). This area should feel tender to the touch.
The color green is associated with the heart chakra, which is also connected to our lungs and to the thymus gland, which is vitally important to our immune system.
Green Color Chakra
Green enhances the heart, lungs and respiratory system.
To restore your chakras with deep breathing, inhale and focus on directing all of the energy within your breath to the chosen chakra, then as you exhale allow consciousness and understanding to sink into the chakra.
Intense grief can alter the heart muscle so much that it causes "broken heart syndrome," a form of heart disease with the same symptoms as a heart attack. Stress links the emotional and physical aspects of grief.
Pulmonary contusions are lung injuries commonly sustained during cases of blunt chest trauma. These traumatic lung injuries result in impaired gas exchange, AV shunting, and decreased lung compliance.
In patients with chronic lung disease, symptoms of depression are inversely related to lung function. Moreover, depression is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with obstructive lung disease, conferring a greater risk of exacerbation and possibly death.