Traditional Chinese Medicine states that our bodies are subject to a 24-hour energy cycle. Our organs each have separate times during that cycle where they have the highest energy.
From the Chinese Medicine Clock, we can see when the best time is to eat, work, relax, sleep and even share intmacy.
5 am to 7 am
The peak time for the large intestine, meaning it is an ideal time for a bowel movement.
Between these two hours is the best time to wake up and start the day.
Bowel problems flare up at this time, and you might be prone to defensiveness and existential problems.
7 am to 9 am
The time of the stomach, and the best part of the day to eat a hearty meal.
Your whole day is affected by how you eat at this time, so a warm, nutritious meal should be on the menu.
Stomach problems usually flare up at this time, as do feelings of despair and anxiety.
9 am to 11 am
The time of the pancreas and spleen, your body is extracting nutrients.
Exercise and hard work should be on the agenda for this time of day as you are at peak energy for those tasks.
Exhaustion and low self-esteem tend to catch people up around this time if there are problems.
11 am to 1 pm
The time of the heart, when the nutrients from your morning meal course around your body.
An excellent time for a light lunch to help boost you for the afternoon. Take some time to rest, have a hot drink and recharge.
Extreme joy or sadness can accompany this time of day for those going through some stuff.
1 pm to 3 pm
The time of the small intestine, conditions like IBS might flare up at this time.
Hopefully, all the heavy physical work on your body has finished, as this is a time for light work and admin.
Feelings of loneliness and abandonment often arise at this time.
3 pm to 5 pm
The time of the bladder, toxins are being filtered out of your body.
Drink lots of water to help the process, and apply yourself to study or intellectual pursuits as this is the height of your mental power.
Irritability is common at this time.
5 pm to 7 pm
The time of the kidneys, your blood is being filtered and cleaned.
Light exercise and a hearty meal should eaten at this time. Stretch, take a bath and relax.
Fear most often visits around this time.
7 pm to 9 pm
The time of the capillaries, when the nutrients are being delivered to your cells.
A great time to relax, an even better time to unwind in private with your partner– especially if you are trying to conceive. Avoid mental activities.
Insecurity is often felt most vividly at this time.
9 pm to 11 pm
The time of the endocrine system, recovery begins.
This is the time that you should sleep if your body is to be ready for the next day.
Paranoia and confusion might appear now.
11 pm to 1 am
The time of the gallbladder, your yang energy is growing.
It is essential that you sleep to replenish yang energy.
You might feel pent-up resentment at this time.
1 am to 3 am
The time of the liver, toxins are removed, and your blood replenished.
You should be asleep, but wakingup may indicate problems with rage and frustration as well as liver-kidney pathways.
3 am to 5 am
The time of the lungs, a crucial time for sleep.
Breathing exercises may help you to get back to sleep if you wake at this time.
This is often when feelings of grief and sadness take hold.