In the fast-paced and high-pressure work environment, everyone is hustling for a living and striving for their careers. However, behind this relentless pursuit lies much unspoken hardship and struggle. This has gradually formed a common phenomenon in our workplaces — the dilemma of ‘Xian Mai’ (string-like pulse) in the workplace.
Da Pan is a highly skilled programmer in a large enterprise, once regarded as a standout among his colleagues. However, recently he seems to have changed completely, feeling depressed and lacking motivation at work. He often sits alone at his workstation, lost in thought, with a faint melancholy on his face, as if the whole world has isolated him. This change has not only surprised his colleagues but has also plunged Da Pan into deep confusion.
One day, the company received an urgent project, and Da Pan was assigned to the core team. Faced with the tight project schedule and immense pressure, Da Pan’s already fragile psychological defenses were further strained. During a project discussion meeting, he suddenly erupted, loudly refuting his colleagues’ suggestions, his words so intense that everyone present was shocked. At that moment, Da Pan seemed to lose his rationality, uttering some extreme remarks that made his colleagues avoid him. In fact, this was just a microcosm of Da Pan’s entrapment in the ‘Xian Mai’ dilemma.
As time went on, Da Pan’s condition worsened. He felt that everyone around him was targeting him and became overly sensitive to minor issues at work. An unintentional suggestion could trigger his sensitive nerves, leading to unnecessary arguments. Although he later realized his problems, he could no longer mend the broken relationships. His work efficiency declined, and his relationships with colleagues became increasingly strained. Insomnia, loss of appetite, and physical discomfort… these issues followed one after another, plunging Da Pan into an unprecedented predicament.
Until one day, he mustered the courage to go to the hospital for a check-up, where the doctor informed him that he might be suffering from asymptomatic depression. From the pulse diagnosis, it was a typical ‘Xian Mai’, indicating liver qi stagnation and liver qi not being smooth. At that moment, Da Pan seemed to awaken from a dream, finally understanding why he had fallen into such a predicament. The ‘Xian Mai’, a pulse pattern in TCM diagnosis, had become the barometer of his workplace troubles.
Faced with this diagnosis, he began to try to adjust his mindset. He learned to let go of work-related stress, communicate more with family and friends, and share his confusions and worries. He also learned to use exercise and meditation to relieve stress, allowing his body and mind to relax. Gradually, his mood improved, and his relationships with colleagues began to mend. He started to regain his confident and optimistic self, and the vitality in his work returned.
However, Da Pan’s story is not an isolated case. Many people in the workplace are like him. Due to long-term work pressure and psychological burdens, they easily fall into a state of liver qi stagnation. This condition not only affects physical health but also damages interpersonal relationships and reduces work efficiency. Yet, many people often overlook this until the problems become irreparable, regretting it too late.
So, what is ‘Xian Mai’? ‘Xian Mai’ is a pulse pattern in TCM diagnosis, characterized by a pulse that feels like a taut string, straight and long, with a firm pulse beneath the fingers. The appearance of ‘Xian Mai’ is often closely related to liver qi stagnation. When liver qi is stagnant, the pulse may present as ‘Xian Mai’, akin to a tightly strung instrument. The emergence of ‘Xian Mai’ indicates that liver qi stagnation leads to poor circulation of qi and blood, often accompanied by unstable emotions, irritability, and other symptoms of liver qi stagnation.
How can we regulate ‘Xian Mai’? First, we should pay attention to dietary and lifestyle adjustments, maintaining a light diet, and appropriately increasing the intake of nutritious meats such as fish, shrimp, and chicken, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement the body’s nutritional needs. At the same time, ensure adequate sleep and participate in physical exercise to enhance physical fitness. Secondly, we can take medications as prescribed by a doctor for regulation. Finally, psychological adjustment is also crucial. We should try to relax our minds, avoid anxiety, and learn to face the challenges in work and life with a positive attitude.