Interpreting these bodily signals through modern medicine, the harmony of Sinhyeong mentioned in Donguibogam is intimately linked to our autonomic nervous system. True to its name, the autonomic nervous system is a vital system that regulates functions essential for sustaining life—such as heartbeat, digestion, respiration, and thermoregulation—automatically, independent of our conscious will. It operates like a seesaw, balanced between two main branches: the sympathetic nerve and the parasympathetic nerve.
The sympathetic nerve acts like an accelerator pedal, shifting the body into battle mode during danger. It makes the heart pound, raises blood pressure, and shunts blood to muscles, generating bursts of energy. In contrast, the parasympathetic nerve acts as a brake, helping the body rest and conserve energy when safe. It slows the heartbeat, promotes digestion, and relaxes the body to support sound sleep. In a healthy person, these two nerves adjust flexibly to circumstances and maintain balance; however, when persistent stress, irregular lifestyle habits, and overwork disrupt this equilibrium, a state known as dysautonomia develops.
When sympathetic hyperactivity occurs, the body remains locked in tension without rest, like a car with its accelerator continuously floored. This gives rise to various symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, dyspepsia, cold sweats, anxiety, and insomnia. Hyperactivation of the amygdala and disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which causes chronic elevations in the stress hormone cortisol, also worsen these symptoms. Chronic sympathetic hyperactivity interferes with gastrointestinal motility, leading to digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation, while placing strain on the cardiovascular system to trigger chest pain or blood pressure fluctuations. It can even cause decreased immunity and chronic inflammation, adversely affecting overall systemic health.
Ultimately, Donguibogam's statement that 'if Sinhyeong is not harmonious, essence, qi, and spirit are all harmed' aligns with the modern medical insight that 'when autonomic nervous system balance is disrupted, all systems throughout our body fall into disarray.' Now is the time to listen to your body's cries and begin the work of restoring balance. It is okay; let us take back control of our bodies together, step by step.
