Don’t get so heated. Chill out. Take a minute to cool off.
Turns out, we might’ve had our calming idioms all wrong. Dr. Chiti Parikh, M.D., one of the leading integrative medicine physicians in the country, the founder of Integrative Health & Well-Being at Weill Cornell Medicine, and author of Intentional Health: Detoxify, Nourish and Rejuvenate Your Body into Balance, explains that warmth has some ultra chill benefits.
“In Western medicine, warmth is often used therapeutically to alleviate various ailments and promote healing,” she explains.
That’s also true in many Eastern practices. Chinese medicine is an ancient modality that relies heavily on the energy (think: temperature) of foods. Ayurveda is another traditional system of medicine in which warm, cooked foods and hot beverages are generally considered much healthier for digestion, circulation, and even mood and disposition.
Dr. Chiti shares a few examples of how warmth can benefit us when tensions run high.
“Applying warm compresses to affected areas can help alleviate pain and promote relaxation. This method is commonly used to ease muscle tension, soothe joint stiffness, and relieve menstrual cramps.”
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“Heat therapy, such as heating pads, warm baths, or hot packs, is frequently used to reduce muscle spasms, increase blood flow, and alleviate pain associated with conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lower back pain.”
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“Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water or using a humidifier can help alleviate congestion and loosen mucus in the respiratory tract. This method is often recommended for treating symptoms of colds, sinus infections, and allergies.”
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“Applying warmth to wounds, either through warm compresses or warm water soaks, can help increase blood flow to the area, promote the growth of new tissue, and accelerate the healing process.”
And we’re not the only major fans of honoring traditional methods. Dr. Chiti gives some explanation of Eastern practices.
“In Eastern medicine, heat is used to improve circulation and movement of energy, also called Qi. Many diseases or ailments such as pain or stiffness are believed to be due to a stagnation of Q, and applying heat helps alleviate the stagnation.
In Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, (traditional Indian medicine), heat therapy is an integral part of healing practices aimed at restoring balance and vitality to the body. Techniques such as moxibustion, herbal steam therapy, warm herbal poultices, hot water therapy, and warmth applied during acupressure are commonly used. Heat is believed to stimulate circulation, promote detoxification, relieve pain and inflammation, and support overall health by balancing the body’s energy.”
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