How To Interpret Your Internal Body Clock
Around 9 pm every night, your brain secretes a hormone called melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland or third eye. Artificial lighting from televisions, computer screens, and cell phones can disrupt the production of melatonin, making it hard to fall asleep. The production of melatonin is needed to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down for the night, getting you ready for sleep.
Your body has a built-in clock! Every organ in your body has a repair/maintenance timetable that it keeps daily. During these scheduled times, the organs work hard to heal any damage there may be. You may experience certain unusual sensations in your body during the times associated with those particular organs.
- Between 3 am and 5 am, the lungs are loosening and expelling poisonous waste, which could cause you to cough. Coughing or wheezing in the morning indicates that your diet and lifestyle needs tweaking.
- Between 5 am and 7 am, the large intestine starts its repairing process. This is the best time to have a bowel movement. Drink water at this time. Do not drink caffeine within this timeframe because it is a diuretic and takes water away from your colon to your kidneys and bladder for evacuation. Imbalances in the large intestine may show up as constipation, dry stools, and skin rashes.
- Between 7 am and 9 am, your stomach is repairing and will not benefit from a large meal. Small meals are best at this time. Ideally, just having liquids, such as water or fruit juice is even better. Imbalances include acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and bad breath.
- Between 9 am and 11 am, your spleen goes into action. This is the perfect time to be active. During the cleansing process, you may feel symptoms of allergies or a cold. Drink ginger tea to support the spleen. Imbalances may show up as loose stools, bloating after a meal, craving sweets, and low energy.
- Between 11 am and 1 pm, your heart will remove toxins. The best thing you can do now… is relax!!! Your heart does not like heat, so, refrain from anything heat-inducing or anything that will raise your blood pressure, such as heavy exercise, drinking warm liquids and stress. Symptoms of imbalance are palpitations, shortness of breath, insomnia and cold hands/feet. This is the perfect time to eat a satisfying lunch, socialize, connect with people and enjoy conversations. Be full of joy at this time.
TIP: 70% of heart attacks happen during its repair time.
- Between 1 pm and 3 pm, the small intestine takes over. If you have not drunk enough water in the day, you could feel dehydrated at this time. If you notice you
have indigestion, pain, bloating/gas during this time, your food is not digesting properly, causing you stress. Change your diet. Eat healthier to resolve this issue. Bone broth is recognized as one of the most healing diet staples and has been known to aid in healthy digestion by healing and sealing your gut. - Between 3 pm and 5 pm, your bladder is on a mission. This is the ultimate time to drink water and/or tea and even a cup of salty miso soup or veggie broth to help strengthen your bladder. Symptoms of imbalance are a yeast infection, urinary incontinence, and burning sensations when you urinate.
- Between 5 pm and 7 pm, it’s time for the Kidneys to do its thing. If your kidneys are working properly, you will feel energetic at this time, not tired. Kidney imbalances are premature greying of the hair, low energy, low back pain and sexual problems. Eating sweet potatoes for breakfast is a great remedy for deficient kidneys.
- Between 7 pm and 9 pm, the pancreas is the primary meridian at work. Do you have intense cravings for sweets around this time? Don’t give in to the sugar because then, you may have to deal with low back pain. This is the perfect time to wind down for the evening to prepare for sleep. Meditation, light stretching and reading are great ways to support the pericardium. On a side note, the pericardium is responsible for the brain, circulation and reproductive organs, making it the perfect time to have sex if you are trying to conceive.
- Between 9 pm and 11 pm, your blood vessels and arteries start their restoration cycle. During this time, if there are any imbalances, you could experience headaches or overall, general weakness in your body. Avoid eating. Try to relax and keep calm. Prepare for sleep, now!
- Between 11 pm and 1 am, the gallbladder stores and excretes bile. If you are not asleep during this cycle of repair, you are depleting your gallbladders energy stores. Over time, this could lead to difficulty digesting fats and emotional issues. If you experience pain at this time, you may have gallstones.
- Between 1 am and 3 am, the liver cleanses the blood and a host of other tasks. If you have trouble sleeping at this time, your liver may be having trouble processing the waste and become overwhelmed. Women should be especially careful during this stage. Imbalances of the liver are irregular menstruation, chronic fatigue, headache, and anemia.
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