Resistance and Embracing the Next Step on Your Journey
Great job on making it to your third session. By now, you may have noticed that healing isn’t always a straight path—healing is hard. This is normal. In fact, this stage is what many call the “Refusal of the Call”—when we feel resistance to transformation, even when we know it’s what we want.
What we usually find is that sometimes patients start feeling resistance or uncertainty, especially because you don’t see the full improvements yet. This is very natural. Today, we’re going to help you break through.
As we move through this journey, we’re working to harness the power of your body’s natural neurochemicals—specifically the DOSE chemicals: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. For today’s session in clinic, we focused on two key chemicals: oxytocin and endorphins. Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” is released when we experience feelings of compassion and connection. It helps reduce stress, alleviate pain, and support overall healing by calming the nervous system. Endorphins, on the other hand, are your body’s natural painkillers, promoting a sense of euphoria and reducing discomfort. We will try to boost these two neurochemicals in this session
What We Did Today
1. Acupuncture for Emotional Balance
We used acupuncture points:
HT7 (Shenmen): To calm the spirit and help with anxiety, restlessness, and emotional strain.
PC6 (Neiguan): To soothe emotional distress and nausea linked to anxiety and stress.
These points help calm the nervous system and open the heart center—inviting in compassion and healing.
Additionally, we also focused on points which were specific to your condition for the day.
2. Loving-Kindness Meditation
You experienced a Loving-Kindness Meditation, a practice that encourages compassion toward yourself and others. Studies show that this meditation can increase oxytocin—the “love hormone”—and activate brain regions related to empathy and joy.
💡 Harvard’s longitudinal research has found that strong social bonds and self-compassion are among the most powerful predictors of long-term happiness and health.
The Science Behind Today’s Work
Two key neurochemicals we focused on are:
Oxytocin, released through compassion, connection, and meditation—shown to reduce pain and stress.
Endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers—boosted through acupuncture, movement, and laughter.
Engaging with these systems helps shift your body from a state of “fight or flight” into one of “rest, digest, and heal.”
Your HomePlay: Reinforce the Healing
🧘♀️ 1. Daily Loving-Kindness Meditation (15 minutes)
Why: Strengthens compassion, reduces anxiety, boosts oxytocin.
Instructions:
Find a quiet space each day.
Repeat phrases like “May I be safe. May I be healthy. May I live with ease.”
Extend the phrases toward loved ones, acquaintances, and eventually yourself.
📺 Suggested Video:
Title: “Loving-Kindness Meditation for Mindfulness & Compassion”
Link: Watch Here
🤸 2. Gentle Heart-Opening Yoga (3x/week)
Why: Releases tension, improves flexibility, boosts endorphins.
📺 Suggested Video:
Title: Qi gong – Heart
Link: Watch Here
🥬 3. Nutrition: Eat More Leafy Greens Daily
Why: Greens like spinach, kale, and chard are rich in nutrients that calm the nervous system and support mood.
(Although more silly than anything, the “heart chakra” is associated with the color green. Hence, we chose green as the food of choice of this healing session)
Examples:
Add spinach to smoothies or scrambled eggs.
Sauté kale with garlic and olive oil.
Mix Swiss chard into soups or stir-fries.
Optional Add-Ons for Healing
🌳 Grounding Nature Walk: Take a slow walk and notice your surroundings. Feel your feet connecting with the Earth.
💬 Evening Reflection Journal: Write down 3 moments when you felt love, connection, or presence.
Learn More
🎥 TED Talk: What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness
📖 Article: “The Role of Oxytocin in Pain Modulation” – Psychosomatic Medicine (Rash et al., 2014)
Final Thoughts
Resistance is not failure. It’s a sign that transformation is beginning.
You’re not alone—and every act of self-kindness brings you closer to symptomatic improvement.
With warmth and support,
Isabella Lai, MD and the Team at Infinity Wellness Institute