Restful sleep is crucial for our body to function optimally. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, qi energy flows through each of the 12 meridians every 2 hours so if qi is unbalanced in a particular meridian, you may notice sleep disturbances in the corresponding time. If you have difficulty sleeping at the following times, this is what it could indicate about your health:
9:00PM – 11:00 PM – Triple Energizer Meridian
The triple energizer system is responsible for our fight, flight, or freeze response and our ability to manage stress. If you find you have difficulty falling asleep, or you wake up shortly after going to bed around this time, this could indicate your body is feeling too stressed to relax. Try limiting screen time before bed, and finding a bedtime hygiene routine (ex. reading, meditating, deep breathing) to help ease you into sleep.
11:00PM – 1:00AM – Gallbladder Meridian
Are you at a turning point in life? The gallbladder is associated with new beginnings and helping us navigate forward. It is the decision-maker and gives us the courage to turn ideas into actions (think: “the gall of that person”). Additionally, it is linked to dreaming and can be seen as our way of digesting information, making sense of events, and helping us come to a clear decision or conclusion.
1:00AM – 3:00AM – Liver Meridian
This is a big one! Many patients complain of waking up in this time frame. The liver has so many functions and is broadly related to hormones, detoxing, regulating blood levels, and aiding in digestion. In Chinese Medicine, the Liver is implicated in emotional regulation. Have you been feeling irritable, anxious, frustrated, guilty… all of the above? When our needs aren’t being met and we ruminate in anger, our qi becomes obstructed and unable to flow freely, resulting in disturbances between the hours of 1:00-3:00am.
3:00AM – 5:00AM – Lung Meridian
The lung is associated with ebb and flow, coming and going, oxygen in and carbon dioxide out. Waking in the early hours can suggest you have repressed emotions relating to a loss, grief, or sadness and have not fully processed yet. Ask yourself: am I hung up on something that happened in the past? Am I able to let go and allow things to flow naturally? We must acknowledge our grief, make peace with the situation, and LET. IT. GO. If you’re an intentional early riser, this would be the perfect time for partaking in a yoga practice, meditation, or deep breathing.
By: Megan Nishida, Registered Acupuncturist