Traditional Chinese Medicine on the "Seven Emotions"
TCM holds that humans experience seven emotions: joy, anger, worry, thought, sorrow, fear, and shock—collectively known as the "seven emotions." Among them, anger, joy, thought, worry, and fear are the five emotions, closely linked to the five organs. The "Inner Canon" states: "Anger injures the liver, sorrow overcomes anger"; "Joy injures the heart, fear overcomes joy"; "Thought injures the spleen, anger overcomes thought"; "Worry injures the lungs, joy overcomes worry"; "Fear injures the kidneys, thought overcomes sorrow." This theory has been applied in health preservation by generations of physicians, playing an invaluable subtle role in emotional regulation, disease prevention, and longevity.
We know humans are complex organisms; emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, and fear are normal mental activities beneficial to health. But abnormal emotional states can disrupt emotional control, leading to nervous system dysfunction, internal yin-yang imbalance, resulting in myriad diseases, premature aging, and even early death. Thus, good health preservers must pay attention to emotional regulation. Excessive emotions can affect internal organ functions and impair the five organs.
Emotional injury to the liver: Anger is a common emotion. Anger causes qi to rise, harming the liver, leading to depression, irritability, dizziness, and blurred vision. It is also a major trigger for hypertension, coronary heart disease, and gastric ulcers.
Emotional injury to the heart: Joy promotes blood circulation and muscle relaxation, aiding recovery from fatigue. But excessive joy damages heart qi. As "Huainan Zi. Yuan Dao Xun" says: "Great joy leads to collapse." Excessive yang damage causes heart qi to scatter, leading to spiritual dispersion and vulnerability to pathogens. Symptoms include palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and senility. The story in "The Scholars" of Fan Jin going mad after passing the imperial exam due to overwhelming joy and sorrow is a classic example of heart injury from excessive joy.
Emotional injury to the spleen and stomach: TCM holds: "Excessive thinking causes qi stagnation." Overthinking disrupts nervous system function, reducing digestive secretions. Symptoms include poor appetite, reduced food intake, emaciation, shortness of breath, fatigue, and depression.
Emotional injury to the lungs: Worry and sorrow are closely related to the lungs. Intense sorrow can damage the lungs, causing dry cough, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, hoarseness, and disrupted digestion. The character Lin Daiyu in "Dream of the Red Chamber," perpetually sad and emotionally burdened, is a perfect example.
Emotional injury to the kidneys: Shock and fear disrupt the nervous system, causing tinnitus, deafness, dizziness, and erectile dysfunction—potentially fatal. Reports of people being frightened to death by terrifying words are not uncommon. This illustrates the danger of "fear causing qi to descend."
In summary: Emotional activities are closely tied to internal organs. Elderly people, with declining organ function and weaker adaptation, struggle to withstand intense emotional changes and are prone to illness. As Chen Zhi said: "The frail are like candles in the wind, easily attacked by all diseases." This shows that intense emotions are a major factor in disease onset. Throughout life, emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are unavoidable. The best way to avoid emotional extremes is to remain calm and composed when facing complex situations. Afterward, do not dwell on problems, as this only invites self-inflicted distress. Cultivate an optimistic outlook, enhance psychological resilience, maintain broad-mindedness, and keep emotions positive. Be content and peaceful, finding satisfaction in life. Regard honor, disgrace, labor, and gain as fleeting clouds. Focus only on peace of mind, maintain inner tranquility, and one will live long. Additionally, cultivate diverse interests and hobbies that benefit mind and body, seeking spiritual fulfillment. This positively contributes to preventing emotional excess and ensuring organ harmony.