Are You Tired but Wired? – A Chinese Medicine Perspective
A frequent concern we see in clinic is tension, muscular, nervous, or mental. The obvious answer might be “just relax,” but anyone who has struggled with tension knows it’s not that simple. In Chinese medicine, this restless exhaustion often reflects a Yin-Yang imbalance.
Treatments in clinic can help “reset” the system, but long-term balance is built through sustainable lifestyle practices. Here are some simple ways to restore calm and support deeper rest.
1. Relaxation is a practice, not a suggestion
For many, relaxing is the hardest task of all. Treat it as a daily responsibility – as essential as brushing your teeth or taking the bins out.
Every system in the body is connected. Relaxing one system influences the rest. Beginners often find it easiest to work with what they can control, the muscles and the breath:
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Breath practice
- Non-sleep deep rest
2. Sleep before midnight
This is prime time for the body to restore Yin. In Chinese medicine, Liver Blood pools and replenishes most deeply before midnight. Earlier sleep means more effective repair.
3. Choose quiet, still activities before bed
The hour before sleep sets the tone for the night. Gentle activities nourish Yin and support rest:
- stretching, heat packs, foot baths
- listening to music or audiobooks
- puzzles, journaling, reflection
- quiet company of loved ones
- light hobbies or small household tasks
4. Screen time at night
Screens stimulate the mind and the Liver system. In the evening, this prevents the nervous system from winding down. Limiting screen use after dark helps Yin consolidate.
5. Caffeine after midday
Caffeine has a half-life of 5–7 hours. Coffee or tea after lunch keeps Yang stimulation active into the evening, disrupting rest. Best kept to the morning.
6. Heavy, heating foods at night
Spicy, greasy, or processed foods late in the day generate internal Heat, aggravating Yin deficiency. This can cause restlessness, vivid dreams, or night sweats. Choose lighter, easier-to-digest meals in the evening.
7. Micro-breaks
A PhD study on elite athletes found the difference between the good and the great was their use of micro-breaks. Tennis champion Andre Agassi would pause before serving; Venus Williams uses the “quiet eye.” Taoist monks describe the same idea: drawing back the bow before release. Short pauses throughout the day can keep you calm and centred.
Read more here.
Why it matters
Yin deficiency develops gradually and is easy to ignore until symptoms become disruptive. Nourishing Yin improves sleep, supports emotional balance, enhances clarity, and builds resilience. By restoring balance, you’ll be in a stronger position to move beyond simply “getting by.”
Support at Geelong Chinese Medicine Clinic
If you find yourself “tired but wired,” you don’t have to navigate it alone. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help restore balance, calm the nervous system, and support deeper, more restful sleep.
📍 Book an appointment with us at Geelong Chinese Medicine Clinic and take the next step toward restoring harmony in your body and mind.