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Chinese Body Clock

Chinese Body Clock
Mental Benefits of Exercise

Understanding the Chinese Body Clock:
A Guide to Optimal Health and Well-being

The Chinese Body Clock, also known as the Meridian Clock or Organ Clock, is a fascinating concept rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that offers insights into the body’s natural rhythms and optimal times for various activities. According to TCM theory, each organ in the body has its peak energy flow and function at specific times of the day, creating a 24-hour cycle that influences our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The Basics of the Chinese Body Clock:

The Chinese Body Clock divides the 24-hour day into 12 two-hour intervals, with each interval corresponding to a specific organ and its associated meridian. These intervals are believed to represent the peak times when each organ system is most active and functions optimally.

Understanding the Organ Systems:

  1. Liver (1 AM – 3 AM): The liver is associated with detoxification and renewal during this time. Waking up during these hours may indicate liver imbalances or emotional stress.
  1. Lungs (3 AM – 5 AM): The lungs are at their peak energy flow, making this an optimal time for deep breathing exercises and meditation to support respiratory health. 
  1. Large Intestine (5 AM – 7 AM): This time is associated with elimination and cleansing. Drinking warm water or herbal tea can aid in the body’s detoxification process.
  1. Stomach (7 AM – 9 AM): Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day in TCM, as the stomach is at its peak function and ready to receive nourishment.
  1. Spleen/Pancreas (9 AM – 11 AM): The spleen and pancreas govern digestion and energy metabolism. Eating a balanced breakfast and avoiding heavy, greasy foods during this time can support digestive health.
  1. Heart (11 AM – 1 PM): The heart is associated with joy and vitality. Lunchtime is ideal for nourishing meals and connecting with loved ones.
  1. Small Intestine (1 PM – 3 PM): The small intestine separates nutrients from waste. This is a good time to enjoy a light, nutritious lunch and avoid overeating.
  1. Bladder (3 PM – 5 PM): The bladder is linked to the body’s fluid balance and elimination. Staying hydrated and taking short breaks to stretch can support bladder health.
  1. Kidneys (5 PM – 7 PM): The kidneys govern water metabolism and vitality. This time is ideal for moderate exercise and relaxation techniques to support kidney function.
  1. Pericardium (7 PM – 9 PM): The pericardium protects the heart and governs emotional balance. Relaxation and unwinding activities can help promote emotional well-being during this time.
  1. Triple Burner (9 PM – 11 PM): The triple burner regulates metabolism and temperature. This is a good time to wind down and prepare for restful sleep.
  1. Gallbladder (11 PM – 1 AM): The gallbladder is associated with decision-making and detoxification. Going to bed during these hours can support gallbladder health and aid in detoxification processes. 

Applying the Chinese Body Clock:

Understanding the Chinese Body Clock can help us optimize our daily routines to align with our body’s natural rhythms. By paying attention to the activities and behaviors associated with each organ system’s peak time, we can support our overall health and well-being.

Final Thoughts:

The Chinese Body Clock offers valuable insights into the interconnectedness of our body, mind, and spirit. By honoring the natural rhythms of our body and making conscious choices to support each organ’s function, we can cultivate a greater sense of balance, vitality, and harmony in our lives.

Incorporating TCM principles into our daily routines can help us achieve optimal health and well-being, allowing us to live life to the fullest and thrive in body, mind, and spirit.

The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

Mental Benefits of Exercise
Mental Benefits of Exercise

Studies have shown that exercise is a highly effective way to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, with results comparable to or better than medication in some cases. Regular physical activity can boost mood, reduce stress, increase energy levels, and improve sleep quality, among other benefits. Furthermore, exercise has no side effects and can be easily incorporated into daily routines. Whether you prefer a brisk walk, a yoga class, or a weightlifting session, there are many ways to make exercise a part of your mental health regimen.

A new study discovered that exercise is 1.5 times more effective at reducing mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression, psychological stress, and anxiety than medication or cognitive behavior therapy.  The study suggests that by increasing our body temperature through physical activity we can reduce muscular tension, illicit endorphins, alter cellular function and reduce inflammation. 

Thirty minutes of exercise, five days a week, was determined to provide a desired result, but for people over 45 years, many studies showed that walking 20 to 40 minutes per day was notably effective for improving depression and anxiety.  

Research

Earthing Benefits

Benefits of Earthing
Acupressure Points to Self Soothe

Earthing . . . What is it and how does it help us heal?

Earthing, also known as grounding, is a practice that involves connecting the body to the earth’s surface to balance electrical charge and neutralize free radicals. When we walk barefoot on the ground, or touch a conductive surface that is in contact with the earth, our bodies absorb negatively charged electrons that are abundant in the earth’s surface. These electrons neutralize positively charged free radicals in our bodies, which are thought to cause oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

The benefits of earthing are numerous and include improved sleep, reduced inflammation, pain relief, and stress reduction. Studies have shown that earthing can improve heart rate variability, decrease cortisol levels, and improve the immune response. Earthing has also been linked to improved mood and a sense of well-being.

Earthing works by creating a connection between the body and the earth’s surface, allowing for a flow of electrons between the two. This flow of electrons neutralizes positive charges in the body and helps restore balance. Earthing can be done by walking barefoot on the ground, using earthing mats or sheets, or sleeping on a conductive mattress.

In today’s world, we are often disconnected from the earth’s surface, spending most of our time indoors and wearing shoes with rubber soles that insulate us from the ground. Earthing is a simple and natural way to reconnect with the earth and reap its many health benefits.

Depression:  A Holistic Approach to Self-Care

Depression - A Holistic Approach
Depression - A Holistic Approach

FIRST RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS.
Make sure you are not missing signs of depression in yourself or others.

Changes in Sleep, Weight or Appetite especially accompanied by:

  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Persistent episodes of anger or fatigue
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Problems concentrating
  • Digestive distress
  • Pain

If there is a suspected diagnosis of depression, it is always recommended to get some form of professional care. As one navigates treatment with a professional, it is also important to incorporate as much self-care as possible. In general Chinese Medicine terms, depression is thought to be caused by a stagnation or deficiency of qi (energy) resulting in an imbalance of the yin and yang forces in the body. These forces can be likened to the sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight response”/yang) and parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and repair response”/yin) Here are some suggestions for assisting your body back into balance from this perspective:

BREATHE.
Your lungs are a source of qi as they draw in oxygen. Deep breaths can not only refill our qi reserves but deep, slow breathing is actually a form of VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation), a way to calm the body via the main parasympathetic nerve and improve mood.

EXERCISE.
Gentle exercise is one of the best ways to prevent qi stagnation in the body. A daily walk can make a huge difference for mental health. Low- intensity exercise sustained over time has been shown to stimulate neurogenesis: the growth of new nerve cells and connections.
Neurogenesis is currently recognized as a major factor in lasting mood improvement. Qi Gong is a meditative movement practice and one of the five branches of Chinese Medicine. A regular practice can be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of depression.

EAT NOURISHING FOOD.
Avoid stagnation by cutting back on excess sugar, gluten, dairy and fried foods as well as over-processed foods with chemical-laden ingredient lists. Source clean, organic grass-fed meats. Choose vibrant colored (antioxidant rich) fruits and veggies, and get seasonal organic produce when possible. Don’t forget to chew slowly (savor the flavors!) to let your body breakdown and absorb the nutrients properly. Let food replenish you.

RESYNC YOUR CIRCADIAN RHYTHM.
For the correct balance of yin and yang in the body, it is best to be active during the day, slow down in the evening and sleep at night. Disrupted sleep cycles have been correlated with increased frequency of depressive episodes. For sleep struggles, try some chamomile tea a couple hours before bedtime to help the body transition. Practice good sleep hygiene by turning off artificial lights at night and any stimulating noises.

CONNECT WITH SUPPORTIVE HUMANS.
Make time for healthy relationships with trusted friends or family members. If those are limited, seek out a support group where you can connect on a deeper level with others. In Chinese medicine, the shen, or spirit resides in the heart, and the heart energy is uplifted by social bonds and mutual understanding. We need to feel connected to be healthy and happy.

CONNECT WITH YOUR ENVIRONMENT.
In Chinese medicine, our sensory orifices, such as our eyes, ears, nose and mouth are considered external receptors for our organ systems. Healthy organ function requires these portals of perception to be open and receiving information. So, look around! Take in the colors of your environment!, listen to the birds in the morning or healing sound therapy frequencies in the evening (Google it, it’s a thing!), smell the roses, taste your food! Remember all the ways you are interacting with the world around you. This will rejuvenate your organ systems and encourage better overall energetic balance.

ACUPRESSURE.
Move stagnation by pressing Liver 3: the point in the angle between the first and second toe bones on the top of the foot. Nourish qi and blood with Stomach 36, the point in the dip a few fingerswidths down on the shin from the corner of the kneecap. And send love to the depths of your soul through the “Inner Gate”: Pericardium 6, located on the inside of the wrist, about two fingerwidths up from the palm.

 

Eat Your Herbs & Spices

Eat Your Spices & Herbs
img_spices_sqr

(Let thy Food be thy Medicine: Research)

Herbology is one of the most significant branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that dates back to 200 B.C. Herbs and spices are traditionally categorized by their taste: pungent, sour, bitter, salty and sweet. Each of these tastes have a different effect on the body: pungent stimulates; sour consolidates; bitter drains; salty softens; sweet harmonizes. In recent years, research has shed additional light on the efficacy of popular herbs and spices to help with immune function and overall well-being. Food is truly medicine and here are some reasons that you should incorporate herbs and spices into your diet:

  • Lower blood sugar levels;
    • Cinnamon can help stabilize blood glucose and lipid levels
    • Cinnamon is also used in TCM to treat the cold & flu symptoms
  • Aid in digestion;
    • Various spices such as ginger, cumin, peppermint, black pepper & turmeric have shown to stimulate bile acid and digestive enzymes
  • Anti-inflammatory properties;
    • Ginger, garlic and turmeric have all shown to aid with systemic inflammation
  • Improve brain function and memory;
    • Rosemary can aid with circulation and cognitive function
    • Cinnamon is shown to help with reducing plaque build-up in the brain
  • Nutrient-rich
    • Herbs and spices like garlic, turmeric, parsley, basil and those previously mentioned contain:
      • Antioxidants which help to prevent chronic disease and accelerated aging;
      • Cardioprotective qualities by preventing tissue damage and inflammation;
      • Anti-microbials that help to prevent infectious disease due to their antibacterial and antifungal properties;
      • Phytochemicals which aid in immune function;
      • Adaptogens which help with immune function and hormone balance to provide a healthy response to stress.

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