Sleepless Nights, It Is All Because of You: Stress-Induced Insomnia, Worries Troubling You Through the Night

Viewing the wisdom of Donguibogam through a modern lens, stress-induced insomnia is more than just an inability to sleep; it is the result of disruptions within the body's intricate systems. The Donguibogam view that the heart governs the mind while the spleen oversees thought and participates in blood circulation aligns closely with the modern neurology and endocrinology concepts of the gut-brain axis, the autonomic nervous system, and the role of stress hormones. Chronic stress excessively activates the sympathetic nervous system, which directs the fight-or-flight response. The heart beats rapidly, breathing quickens, and the body stays in a constant state of tension. This is similar to what Donguibogam describes as the heart being damaged. Overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system suppresses the parasympathetic nervous system, which should allow comfortable rest and sleep, preventing the brain from easing out of alert mode at night. Furthermore, during stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activates, leading to excessive secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. While cortisol provides vitality during the day, maintaining high levels at night hinders the secretion of sleep-inducing melatonin, making deep sleep difficult. In Donguibogam, damage to the spleen can be seen as pointing to disruptions in the endocrine system related to the stress response, beyond simple digestive issues. The spleen is a central organ of the digestive system, and the gut is often called the second brain, producing more than 90 percent of serotonin, a hormone linked to well-being and the precursor to melatonin. When gut and spleen function declines under stress, serotonin production is disrupted, directly leading to melatonin deficiency and lower sleep quality. The idea that blood loses its proper place can be understood in modern terms as an imbalance of neurotransmitters. When neurotransmitters essential for calming and sleep induction, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid, are not properly secreted due to stress or their function declines, the brain fails to settle and remains active. Additionally, blood delivers nutrients and oxygen throughout the body while carrying away waste; blood flow disturbances or chronic inflammation caused by stress can interfere with normal brain function, further reducing sleep quality. In conclusion, stress-induced insomnia does not stem from a single cause. Rather, excessive thoughts and emotions exert complex effects on the autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, and gut health, creating a cycle that continues to degrade sleep quality. The teachings of Donguibogam remind us that sleep problems should not be viewed merely as isolated symptoms, but approached holistically to restore the balance of the whole body and mind. Listening to your body's signals and restoring balance is the first step toward reclaiming healthy sleep.