Do you understand the human body's biological clock? What is the best time to do certain activities for health preservation?

Between heaven and earth, there are 12 time periods in a day, each governed by 12 meridians at different times. Therefore, the human body has specific tasks to perform at different times, and only by following nature can one achieve the "unity of heaven and man." Of course, problems that arise at different times also reflect which internal organs are out of balance. Let's see if you have followed this daily "schedule."

3:00am – 5:00am "Lung Meridian"- Still sleeping

From 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. is the time when the lung meridian is dominant. This period marks the transition from stillness to movement, representing the process of the body's qi and blood circulation. It requires deep sleep, which is when a person sleeps most soundly. This is the time when yang energy is newly born; after the liver renews the blood, it provides fresh blood to the lungs, which then distributes it throughout the body. Therefore, people often have a rosy complexion and abundant energy in the early morning. If you often wake up coughing or wheezing at this time, you should be careful and work on strengthening your lung function.

5:00am – 7:00am "Large Intestine Meridian"- Getting up and having a bowel movement

At this time, it is exactly dawn, the sky gate opens, and waking up at five o'clock is normal. After getting up, this is also when the earth gate opens, the anus opens, so we should have a normal bowel movement to expel waste toxins. Even if there is no urge to defecate, one must squat in the toilet to let the brain reflex that it's time to have a bowel movement; this is a habit that must be developed. If you often do not resolve this or do not have a bowel movement habit at this time, it will affect the normal bowel function of the large intestine in the long run.

7:00am – 9:00am "Stomach Meridian"- Eat breakfast

At this time, the stomach meridian is dominant, making it the best time to have breakfast. This period is when the yang energy of heaven and earth is at its peak, so eating breakfast at this time is the easiest to digest and absorb, and even eating more won't cause weight gain. Therefore, breakfast must be plentiful and nutritious, as precious as "spring rain is as valuable as oil." However, if you skip breakfast and don't absorb nutrients, the stomach energy will be insufficient, leading not only to a lack of energy throughout the day but also to many gastrointestinal diseases in the future.

9.00am – 11.00am "Spleen Meridian"- Do focused work

The spleen is responsible for transportation and transformation; the breakfast eaten in the morning begins to be transported and absorbed at this time. The spleen is also the commander of the body's blood. When the spleen functions well, digestion and absorption are good, the quality of the blood is good, and the lips and face are rosy. At this time, the spleen distributes nutrients throughout the body. The spleen is also the official that raises yang energy, lifting the yang energy to the top, causing the brain to be in a state of congestion, which is the best period for concentration. If you feel sleepy, fatigued, dizzy, bloated, or belching at this time, you need to pay attention to your spleen function, as it may affect the digestive system.

11.00am – 1.00pm "Heart Sutra"- Take a nap

Noon is noon11Click to1At midnight, the Heart Sutra is in season.11The period from 1 o'clock to noon is the turning point of the qi movement between heaven and earth. The human body must pay attention at this time, as it is the time for taking the Zi and Wu naps. Sleeping deeply at Zi hour at night and taking a short nap at Wu hour at noon are times to nourish one's essence and spirit. A noon nap not only nourishes the heart but also allows one to be energetic until the evening. For those of us who are unable to control our own qi and blood, only sleep can achieve the "heart and kidney connection."

1:00pm – 3:00pm "Small Intestine Meridian"- Do focused work

When the Heart Meridian is in charge at 12 o'clock, have lunch and then take a short rest. At this time, the Small Intestine takes charge, beginning to absorb the essence of the food digested by the Spleen and Stomach, and then distributes it to various organs.The small intestine separates the clear from the turbid, sending the essence of the "clear" to the spleen, directing the turbid fluids to the bladder, and passing the dregs into the large intestine, adjusting the nutrients absorbed throughout the day. If the small intestine is hot, a person will cough and expel gas.

3.00pm – 5.00pm "Bladder Meridian"- Study and eat fruit

The bladder meridian is a major meridian that runs from the heel along the back of the lower leg, up the spine, to the back of the head, over the forehead, and to the crown. This is a good time for studying and reading because qi and blood easily flow to the brain, resulting in high learning efficiency. Conversely, if you feel headaches or drowsiness at this time, it indicates deficiency in the Taiyang meridian, where yang qi cannot rise, showing signs of yang deficiency. Additionally, the bladder governs qi transformation, so drinking more water and eating fruits at this time is a step in health preservation.

5.00pm – 7.00pm "Kidney Meridian" - Exercise the body

The time from 5 to 7 in the morning is the "opening" of the day, while the time from 5 to 7 in the evening is the "closing" of the day. Like nature, the human body also has a time for storage, which is the period when the kidneys store essence. It is especially suitable for elderly people to exercise during this time in the afternoon. It is best for elderly people to finish dinner around 5:30 pm and start practicing exercises around 6:00 pm. At this time, the kidney meridian's qi and blood are at their peak and most stable, which helps promote digestion and absorption of food and enhances the function of the spleen and stomach. If a low fever occurs at this time, it indicates severe damage to the kidney qi and a problem with the kidney's storage function.

7:00pm – 9:00pm "Heart Sutra"- Evening entertainment, walks 

The hour of the Dog is the time when the Qi and blood of the Pericardium Meridian are abundant. The Pericardium Meridian mainly functions to protect the heart and conserve energy. When the Pericardium is vigorous during the hour of the Dog, it can eliminate external pathogens around the heart, keeping the heart in good condition. If the heart beats strongly at this time, it means the Pericardium is affected by pathogens. The Pericardium governs joy, so the body can engage in some entertainment during this time. However, it is best to avoid intense exercise during this period, as it may lead to insomnia; the preferred exercise is walking.

9.00pm – 11.00pm"Triple Burner Meridian" Prepare for sleep

The Sanjiao meridian mainly governs the various qi; all the qi in the human body is distributed to the various organs through the Sanjiao. The Sanjiao must be unobstructed; if there is a blockage, it can easily cause blurred vision, throat swelling, tinnitus, body pain, and other symptoms. The zodiac sign for the Hai hour is the pig; pigs eat until full and then sleep, so during this time one should be calm and go to bed, allowing all the meridians to rest and recuperate, enabling the cycle of life and body.

11.00pm – 1.00amGallbladder Meridian Light sleep

From 11 PM to 1 AM is the Zi hour, a time for rest and renewal, when the gallbladder meridian is in charge. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the gallbladder is the official of impartiality, and the health of the five viscera and six bowels depends on the gallbladder. If the gallbladder qi is deficient, one becomes timid and unable to make decisions. People must go to sleep before the Zi hour so that the gallbladder can complete its metabolism, allowing one to wake up in the morning with a clear mind and rosy complexion. Conversely, those who often do not sleep before the Zi hour tend to have a pale complexion, especially when bile cannot metabolize normally and becomes concentrated and crystallized, forming stones and similar conditions; some people may also experience "timidity."

1.00am – 3.00amLiver Meridian Deep sleep

At this time, the liver meridian is at its peak. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver governs the storage of blood. A person's thinking and actions require the support of liver blood; old blood needs to be eliminated, and fresh blood needs to be produced. This metabolism is completed during the period when the liver meridian is most active. If one does not sleep during this period, the liver must output energy to support thinking and actions, making it impossible to complete metabolism. This results in a sallow complexion, irritability, fatigue, and a tendency to develop liver diseases.

Once you understand the body's biological clock, remember to follow it—that's the way to maintain health~