Traditional Chinese Medicine Time Cycles – Are you waking at 2am?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body cycles through twelve 2 hour cycles every day and night, during which each organ system becomes most active. So that for each particular organ system it has a high tide, such as 7-9am – Stomach time – why breakfast is so important !
The cycle can be regarded as running from 3am, when Liver time concludes and the body’s energies turn outward; in readying the body for the day by cleansing the lungs and the large intestine for the new day ahead. Then, from 3pm onward, the energies flow back in to restore and maintain the body during rest and sleep.
The organs and their peak functioning times are itemised below.
What does this mean? A example is when a patient is waking between 1 and 3am consistently, we can see that the Liver is showing an imbalance in its ability to function properly. Stress is a common factor that many people experience – demanding jobs, families to support, deadlines, worrying about the future, “living for the future” i.e. superannuation funds need contribution etc. Poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, suppressing emotions can also create imbalance in the energy of the liver. Our deepest sleep should be at 2am!
Liver symptoms that can occur include headaches, premenstrual symptoms or irregular periods, tension shoulders, fullness in chest/ribs, dream disturbed sleep, quick tempered/irritable, outbursts, depression, moodiness, sighing, lack of motivation, poor day-to-day planning, irritable/irregular bowel movements, fever, red face and eyes.
Talk with your acupuncturist about the symptoms you are experiencing so a treatment can be tailored and the imbalanced corrected – all you have to do is maintain it!
Organ Time Function
3:00 – 5:00 am – Lung – A new day!
The respiratory tract, lungs and sinuses are cleansed and maintained. Gentle breathing occurs and sleep becomes shallower in preparation for waking. Grief and sadness may be experienced at this time.
5:00 – 7:00 am – Large Intestine
The large intestine packs the stool for excretion ideally at 7 am so it is important to allow time for elimination in the early morning. Drinking water and avoiding caffeine during this time helps promote defecation. Guilt and defensiveness may occur at this time.
7:00 – 9:00 am – Stomach
The peak time of the day for digestion. For this reason TCM advocates having the main meal including protein at breakfast. The emotions of disgust and despair may be experienced at this time.
9:00 – 11:00 am – Spleen
Said to be the most important digestive organ in TCM, the Spleen directs the processes of digestion, transforming foods and liquid into energy and blood. The spleen also supports the immune system so allergies may be most pronounced at this time. This time window is good for thinking and working, although jealousy, worry and low self-esteem may also be experienced.
11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Heart
Palpitations may be noticed during this time and the majority of heart attacks are said to occur during the late morning. This is not a time to place the heart under additional stress by exercising or being exposed to excessive heat. A good time for meeting, talking and eating, although joy and sadness may also occur.
1:00 – 3:00 pm – Small Intestine
The small intestine is busy digesting lunch and this may be the time when symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal pain and bloating may occur. This time window is good for sorting and organising, although insecurity, vulnerability and abandonment may also be experienced.
3:00 – 5:00 pm – Bladder
The bladder is associated with the skin and skin irritations and eczema may be noticed during this time. Many people may feel tired and want a nap mid-afternoon and a salty snack such as a bowl of miso soup will strengthen this organ. Good for storing and reserving, although this time may be associated with timidity.
5:00 – 7:00 pm – Kidney
Tiredness may carry over from bladder time if the adrenals (endocrine glands produce a wide variety of hormones) are depleted (also governed by the kidneys). However, if the adrenals are strong, there may be a second wind of energy. Good for driving and consolidating, although fear and terror may reach a peak.
7:00 – 9:00 pm – Pericardium
The pericardium (a sac surrounding the heart) governs the master glands and reproductive organs. If depleted, low back pain may result arising from the kidneys. Good for socialising, flirting and sexual energy. Negative aspects include being unresponsive and unable to express emotions, feeling hurt, or extremes of joy.
9:00 – 11:00 pm – Temperature balance
The triple warmer (temp balance) governs the endocrine system and the blood vessels. Headaches or feeling tired and weak during this time may indicate significant arterial repair taking place. Good for relaxing, although may be associated with feelings of hopelessness, confusion, and paranoia.
11:00 pm – 1:00 am – Gall Bladder
The gallbladder is associated with regeneration and sleep which is why we are told that the hours before midnight are important! If restless during this time, this indicates that the gallbladder and liver are overwhelmed and the toxins remaining in circulation are acting as an irritant to the brain. Emotions associated with this time window include bitterness, resentment or indecisiveness.
1:00 – 3:00 am – Liver
The liver gets down to the work of processing the day’s nutrients and detoxifying the day’s toxin load. Deep resting and dreaming also occurs during this time and it is the worst time to eat as the small intestine is at its lowest ebb. Anger, frustration, rage reach a peak and waking at this time can often lead to overthinking things, writing lists of what needs doing for the day ahead and also difficulty falling back to sleep. The liver is about organisation! If this is your consistent waking time – start carrying a diary with you – write lists and get your organisation happening throughout the day and before bed time.
What can you do?
Acupuncture will treat the organs with an imbalance such as waking at 4am or fatigue at 11am for example – Talk with your acupuncturist about the symptoms you are experiencing so a treatment can be tailored and the imbalanced corrected – all you have to do is maintain it! It might be small nutritional changes, stress management ideas tailored to you.
Understanding that every organ has a repair/maintenance schedule to keep on a daily basis offers you the opportunity to learn how to treat yourself for improved health and well-being. It also allows you to identify exactly which organ system or emotion needs strengthening/resolving. Always use your symptoms and body cues as a guide, and if you make a connection above, such as that you get sleepy between 5-7pm, don’t hesitate to research what you can do to strengthen that organ (which would be the Kidneys). A great solution to deficient kidneys is having a sweet potato for breakfast!
Make sure to look at the emotional aspect too. If you’re sleepy during kidney time, do you have any fears holding you back from reaching your true potential? Are you afraid of rejection? Failure? Addressing this emotion will strengthening the organ and improve your physical health now and for the future 🙂
Take care of you, see you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.