As a naturopathic nutritionist, I draw upon both ancient and modern practices from a wide range of cultures. After many years of personal experiment, I have found a ‘timetable’, for want of a better word, that suits me; a routine that energises and simultaneously calms me.
You are likely familiar with your body clock, or your circadian rhythm. This internal clock regulates your sleep/wake cycle, as well as processes like eating and body temperature. While looking at our circadian rhythm can explain why we may feel tired, hungry, or energized at certain times, there is another clock that can provide even more insight into our health:
The Ancient Medicine Clock
The Ancient Chinese Medicine Clock is based on the circadian rhythm and the ancient Chinese medicine concept of chi energy flowing through meridian pathways in the body over a 24-hour period. The most significant aspect of the body clock is its ability to explain how the body functions at particular times of day, to maintain our wellness and fight disease. It tells us when it is best to eat, sleep and exercise, among many other things.
Each two-hour interval of the clock corresponds to one organ system, indicating when that system’s chi is most abundant and active. The time opposite each organ’s interval is when it is at its weakest energetic point. This relative strength and weakness reflect one of the main underlying principles in Traditional Chinese Medicine: balance.
Although certain foods indeed make me feel better or worse, I can wholeheartedly state that the timetable I established through trial and error, fits completely with the ancient Chinese Medicine Clock. I have found that I have intuitively aligned my daily routines with it, such as rising early, exercising between 5-7 am when the lungs and large intestines are most active, and allowing wind-down time between 9-11 pm when the pericardium and triple burner meridians help the body relax, improving my energy levels and general wellbeing.
Have you noticed a pattern that is in line with this fascinating clock?
Featured image with thanks to RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-fortune-cookie-with-a-happy-new-year-message-6692053/