Acupuncture and Self-Actualization
- Posted on: Jun 28 2018
Many people know that Acupuncture can be helpful for a myriad of physical concerns from head to toe, migraines to gout, and everything in between. More and more people are discovering that Acupuncture can help with stress and anxiety, but few people know of its ability to help you self-actualize or reach your highest potential.
Self-Actualization was made famous by prominent Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs model. This work is about people reaching their highest potential. Maslow observed that when our basic survival needs (food, shelter) were met, people were able to focus on feeling Safe. Once safety needs were met, we could move up the ring to Love and Belongingness needs, ie. Healthy relationships with friends, family, and other loved ones. The final step before Self-Actualization is Achievement based on our skills and acknowledgement from others. Once we have that in place, the only thing left to do is to be in our highest and best self. So how can Acupuncture support our Self-Actualization? Let’s take a look level by level.
Fundamental/Survival:
While acupuncture can’t literally feed you it can help improve your digestion. With improved digestion you absorb nutrients better and eliminate better as well. This can help you have more energy and of course, improve overall health. Acupuncture can also help with regulating fluids /hydration. Let’s talk about another fundamental need to survival; sleep. So many Americans have difficulty sleeping. Acupuncture can help calm and relax your nervous system and improve Zzzz’s. If you’re too tired to fall asleep, Acupuncture can help build that subtle “yin” energy that can allow you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Now that you’re nourished and better rested, let’s move on up.
Safety:
Acupuncture may not be a walking body guard, but it can help calm and regulate your nervous system, reduce anxiety, and enhance your sense of inner calm. It can help reduce irrational and unnecessary levels of feeling unsafe. Add in some improved sleep, digestion, and nourishment from above, we’re now ready to take on love and belongingness.
Love and Belongingness:
There are Acupuncture points and channels that can help release old hurts. Past trauma’s such as loss can obstruct our ability to trust again and allow us to open our hearts to the love around us. There are ways to release these old hurts through Acupuncture and stoke that fire to burn off old mental and emotional impurities. Feeling the love? Let’s go out to the world and make our contribution.
Esteem Needs:
Everyone has a contribution to make to the world. When we’re rested, nourished, feeling safe and secure in our relationships, we can go out into the world with more ease and grace and have a positive impact. Not everyone is meant to shine in the spotlight. Many of us make contributions behind the scenes of life through our work, or simply through actions or just being who we are. When we’re standing in our authenticity we can bring our best selves into the world. Welcome to self-actualization.
What would you do if you felt totally safe, secure, loved, and knew all your needs were met? Try Acupuncture and over time, it can help you find out!
Resources: https://www.thoughtco.com/maslow-theory-self-actualization-4169662
Posted in: Acupuncture
