AculoverNAUM: TCM Daily Secret

  Sleep is an essential part of our health, yet so many people struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrefreshed. Modern science shows a clear link between anxiety, stress, and poor sleep quality —and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique lens for understanding why this happens and how to help your body find calm and balance. The Science: How Anxiety and Stress Affect Sleep According to medical research, anxiety can make it hard to fall asleep because racing thoughts and worry keep the mind active when the body should be winding down. Anxiety and sleep problems feed each other—poor sleep increases worry, and worry makes sleep harder. Stress likewise impacts sleep by keeping the body's stress response systems active at night. This can heighten cortisol and other stress hormones that make it difficult to relax and drift into deep rest. This creates a cycle: ➡ Stress and anxiety → difficulty sleeping → daytime fatigue → more str...

  Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement. It often manifests as jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and a clicking or locking of the jaw. Anxiety is a significant factor that can exacerbate TMJ symptoms, and in many cases, anxiety itself can be a direct cause of TMJ. From the viewpoint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the connection between anxiety and TMJ is profound, and understanding this link can be crucial for effective treatment. Anxiety and TMJ: The Connection Anxiety can significantly contribute to the development and worsening of TMJ. Chronic stress and anxiety often lead to muscle tension, particularly in the jaw, neck, and shoulders. This tension can result in habits such as teeth grinding and jaw clenching, both of which are major contributors to TMJ disorders. Additionally, anxiety can heighten the perception of pain, making TMJ symptoms more pronounced. TMJ as an Antidepressant Side Effec...