There’s a running joke among married couples that women steal the blankets. Ha ha, very funny. Ever slept with a toddler? If you have, you know it’s a whole different level of blanket thievery. A toddler is essentially three animals in one.
If you’re lucky, you get the starfish. Each limb is spread as wide as possible, effectively separating the parents and ensuring that future siblings are not an option. Then there’s the donkey. This little creature usually awakens 20 minutes after you’ve just drifted off, delivering a swift kick from two meters above the bed that lands perfectly in your crotch. And my personal favorite? The crocodile. As he tries to fall asleep, he lies on his side, then his back, then his side again, then your back. It feels like he’s trying to roll you up in blankets to smother you for saying no to that last cookie.
So when you survive sleeping next to Animal Planet and wake up by yourself at 2 AM, it’s especially annoying—especially if it’s the fourth time this week. Naturally, I did some research and discovered the Chinese Body Clock.
What is the Chinese Body Clock?
The Chinese Body Clock describes how your body’s energy targets different organs throughout the day, indicating when they are strongest and when they are weakest. For instance, 9-11 AM is your spleen time. During this period, the assimilation of nutrients into the body (via digestion) builds energy and blood. A healthy spleen is crucial for optimal physical energy to carry you through the day.
Interestingly enough, this is also when most folks eagerly sip their morning coffee to fuel their energy. But this tells us that maybe their natural energy source is weak or fatigued.
The opposite side of the clock—9-11 PM—is when your spleen is at its lowest. So if you’re at the gym during this time, well, let’s just say you might be a bit crazy! If your spleen is already weak, that cycle of repetitive thoughts may become more apparent now—and you might need more L-theanine to counteract them.
The 2 AM Wake-Up Call
So that 2 AM wake-up? That’s your liver working hard! Darn! Shouldn’t have had that second martini! Fortunately, Better Sleep Hot Chocolate has taurine, which helps cleanse the liver and makes those late-night awakenings less common.
The Chinese have known for centuries when it’s best to eat, work, and socialize. And here we are with happy hour at 4 PM? We should be having long social lunches together!
The Importance of Sleep
Sleep is a critical component of our health and well-being. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), each organ has its peak performance times throughout the day. Understanding these cycles can help us optimize our daily activities—like eating and sleeping—to align with our body’s natural rhythms.
Here’s a quick rundown of how the Chinese Body Clock works:
- 3 AM – 5 AM: Lung
This is when your lungs are at their peak energy levels. It’s thought to be an ideal time for exercise—if you’re in good health. - 5 AM – 7 AM: Large Intestine
This time is perfect for honoring your body’s elimination functions. It’s also a good time for bowel movements! - 7 AM – 9 AM: Stomach
This is when your stomach is most active; it’s crucial to eat a hearty breakfast during this period. - 9 AM – 11 AM: Spleen
As mentioned earlier, this is when your spleen is working hard to digest food and assimilate nutrients. - 11 AM – 1 PM: Heart
Your heart is at its peak during this time; it’s great for cardiovascular activities! - 1 PM – 3 PM: Small Intestine
This period supports digestion and nutrient absorption. - 3 PM – 5 PM: Bladder
You might want to take a bathroom break during this time! - 5 PM – 7 PM: Kidneys
This is when kidneys work hard to filter blood; hydration is key! - 7 PM – 9 PM: Pericardium (Heart Protector)
The pericardium takes over; it’s a great time for relaxation and winding down. - 9 PM – 11 PM: Triple Heater
This period helps regulate body temperature and metabolism; it’s best to be preparing for sleep. - 11 PM – 1 AM: Gallbladder
During this time, make sure you’re asleep so your gallbladder can do its work! - 1 AM – 3 AM: Liver
As mentioned before, this is when your liver detoxifies; if you’re awake during this time, something might be off.
Why Do We Wake Up at Specific Times?
If you find yourself waking up consistently at certain times during the night, it could indicate an imbalance in one of these organs according to TCM principles. For example:
- Waking between 1 AM – 3 AM may suggest issues with your liver.
- Waking between 3 AM – 5 AM could indicate lung-related concerns.
- If you wake up frequently between 5 AM – 7 AM, it might be related to your large intestine.
Understanding these connections can provide valuable insight into potential health issues or lifestyle changes needed for better sleep quality.
How to Improve Your Sleep Quality
So how do we combat those pesky wake-up calls? Here are some strategies to help improve your sleep quality:
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity can disrupt sleep patterns; keeping your weight in check can significantly reduce your risk of sleep disturbances.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while minimizing processed sugars and carbohydrates.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps regulate sleep patterns and improves overall health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week—but avoid vigorous workouts close to bedtime!
- Monitor Sleep Hygiene: Create a calming bedtime routine by dimming lights and avoiding screens before bed. Make sure your bedroom environment promotes relaxation—think cool temperatures and comfortable bedding!
- Stay Hydrated but Not Overloaded: Drink enough water throughout the day but limit fluid intake close to bedtime to avoid those midnight bathroom trips!
- Limit Caffeine and Alcohol Consumption: Both substances can disrupt sleep quality—especially if consumed later in the day.
- Manage Stress Levels: Chronic stress can lead to poor sleep quality; consider mindfulness practices or yoga as effective stress relievers.
- Consider Supplements: Nutrients like magnesium and vitamin D3 can support healthy sleep patterns—consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements.
The Science Behind It All
Research continues to explore how our daily habits impact our sleep quality and overall health. Aligning daily activities with our body’s natural rhythms—as outlined by TCM principles—can optimize both physical health and cognitive function over time.
By understanding how these conditions interlink and taking proactive steps toward prevention through diet and lifestyle choices, we can empower ourselves against cognitive decline while improving our overall well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it might be tempting to dismiss the Chinese Body Clock as just another concept floating around social media or health blogs, it represents significant insights into optimizing our daily routines for better health outcomes—especially concerning sleep quality.
So next time you’re tossing and turning next to a toddler who thinks they’re auditioning for Animal Planet, remember that there might be more going on than just blanket theft!
And if you’re looking for ways to enhance your performance throughout the day while keeping those pesky late-night awakenings at bay? Consider incorporating products like The Daily Shake or Better Sleep Hot Chocolate into your routine—they’re packed with beneficial ingredients designed to support overall wellness!
So keep those blankets close—because if there’s one thing we know about toddlers (and perhaps spouses), it’s that they’ll always find a way to steal them!
Citations:
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/chinese-body-clock
[2] https://www.nirvananaturopathics.com/blog/traditional-chinese-organ-body-clock
[3] https://www.havenbytheocean.com/the-chinese-organ-body-clock/
[4] https://www.tcmwellnessprinciple.com/blog/chinese-body-clock
[5] https://www.turningpointeacu.com/blog/2017/2/19/waking-up-at-the-same-time-each-night-the-chinese-medicine-body-clock-explains-why
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5737830/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7246646/
[8] https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/11/1/12