What a Chinese Medicine Doctor Does to Deal With Anger

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about Chinese medicine is that we’re trying to get rid of emotions.

We’re not.

Emotions are part of being human. Joy, sadness, grief, worry, fear, excitement, frustration, anger. They all belong, and it’s beautiful. The goal isn’t to never feel angry. The goal is to let your emotions move through you instead of getting stuck inside you.

This is something I think about often, not only as a Chinese medicine doctor, but as someone who has spent years learning how to regulate my own nervous system. I’m naturally ambitious. I care deeply. I want things to go well. And like everyone else, there are moments when I feel frustrated or overwhelmed. The difference now is that I don’t judge myself for it. I get curious instead.