Rhythms of the Body

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being,and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.World Health Organization

We all desire to be healthy and happy; to have our holistic wellbeing at its peak and our body full of vitality and strength. This desire is what drives our need to connect not only to others in a meaningful way, but to the spiritual – it is by no accident that the interest in holistic therapies and spirituality is rising as more and more of us feel disconnected, and our health and wellbeing are suffering as a result.

But this disconnection oftentimes has little to do with the external world; it is not our lack of interaction with others, or our ‘failure’ to understand complicated spiritual texts and concepts, which leave us feeling less than what we know we can be. It is merely a larger symptom of the modern age.

We have all become so conditioned to the ideology of the modern world that we think nothing of going to bed at midnight, skipping breakfast, surviving on coffee to keep us awake at work etc, whereas anything that is natural is viewed with suspicion and ultimately rejected. This unhealthy shift away from nature, and the body’s natural rhythmic cycle, is resulting in our bodies, minds and spirits becoming depleted of their natural energy

Like most organisms on this planet, much of who we are is directly influenced by our natural body rhythm, which regulates our physiology, biology and behaviour to correspond with (roughly) a 24-hour cycle. By learning to understand how our body responds to this rhythmic cycle we can become empowered in our health and wellbeing, and take a proactive role in helping our body to function the way nature intended it to.

Our Internal Rhythmic Cycle

or our ‘Body Clock’

Midnight:

This is the time when our body should be tucked in a comfortable bed and asleep. Forget the partying and staying up late to watch the horror film on the movie channel, this is the peak period of cell rejuvenation so, unless you want to look 60 when you’re only 40, you should respect the timely process and be asleep so your body can get to work repairing and replacing the cells in your body which are worn out without being stressed with external activities.

1 am:

Levels of vitamins in the blood stream are at their peak now, meaning the body is ensuring it is nourished with essential vitamins. At this time concentration of uric acid has increased and this large amount can crystallise in the joints, causing pain for gout suffers.

2 am:

Oil productions from the glands are at their lowest now, and this will last until 4am. Oil production isn’t the only activity slowing down – bowel movements are at their slowest, and the hormone vasopressin is released to suppress bladder activity so you should not feel the need to race to the toilet at this time!

3 am:

Adrenalin and anti-inflammatory hormones are at their lowest, however spasm-triggering compounds called leukotrienes are at their highest – this means those suffering from asthma are more likely to suffer a severe asthma attack at this time then at any other time. It is also the ‘sleepiest’ time of the 24-hour cycle, and your mental capacities are likely to be inhibited by sleepiness and thus accidents are more likely to occur.

4 am:

Blood pressure is at its lowest, and our immunity system cells are at their highest.

5 am:

Growth hormones have been busy during the night repairing tissue and strengthening bones, so at this time your body does not want to be disturbed. Your body’s temperature is also at its lowest, encouraging us to snuggle up in our blankets and keep asleep – however, for men their ‘morning libidos’ are kicking in, so they might want to engage in another activity to keep warm!

6 am:

Women wanting to get pregnant should try to conceive now – taking full advantage of their partner’s ‘morning libido’- because it is around this time that the female body begins ovulating. Unfortunately for those who have ankylosing spondylitis – a type of spinal arthritis – they will likely experience a significant increase in pain and stiffness at this time compared to the rest of the 24-hour cycle. Other arthritis sufferers are more likely to experience significant joint pain and stiffness because their anti-inflammatory hormones are still at low levels during this time.

7 am:

Bad cholesterol in the body peaks, and the hormone serotonin fluctuates, triggering migraines as chemical imbalances constricts blood vessels in the head.

8 am:

Your body begins to ‘wake up’, and blood pressure and temperature begin to rise, as well as the stress hormone cortisol. At this time you are extremely vulnerable to a heart attack as the rise in blood pressure, combined with the increase in cortisol, can place pressure on the heart.

9 am:

Your digestive system is now functioning at its peak, so it stands to reason that now is the best time to enjoy a hearty breakfast. Metabolism is at its peak, meaning that you are less likely to absorb fat at this time compared to the evening. Also at its peak is the hormone adrenalin, which helps us to endure pain, so if you need to do anything painful (like take the annual dreaded visit to the dentist!) now is the time to do it.

Unfortunately for those who suffer from depression, it is at this time of the 24-hour cycle that you are likely to be at your lowest.

10 am:

For those obsessed with their beauty, it is usually at 10am that your facial skin looks its most radiant. Your mind is fully alert at this time, as well as your levels of concentration, memory and logical reasoning – so, if you need to study, sit an exam or develop a master plan to take over the world, it is at 10am that you are likely to get great results!

11 am:

The T lymphocytes –  which are crucial infection fighting white blood cells – become least active at this time, meaning your immune system is now at it most vulnerable and you are prone to infection and disease.

12 pm (Noon):

Midday signals the highest peak in blood pressure, which can result in strokes. This high peak in blood pressure does not explain the sudden need to sing, but research suggests that it is at midday that people are more likely to indulge their vocal cords.

1 pm:

More urine is being produced at this time compared to other times in the 24-hour cycle due to the water content consumed during the day. Your kidneys are functioning at their peak, ridding the body of excess toxins. Migraines tend to also re-occur at this time.

2 pm:

The digestive system is working hard to digest your lunch as your physical and mental energy drops. You may find that at this time the temptation to take a little nap at work grasps you, unfortunately for most of us in a typical 9-5 job we may find ourselves reaching for another cup of coffee, or trying in vain to master the ancient art of sleeping with our eyes open so the boss is none-the-wiser.

3 pm:

>Again, for those obsessed with their beauty, now is the time to indulge your skin with cream and other beauty ointments as the skin is at its most porous now due to the warmth of the body. For those who are inclined, it is also great time to begin exercise.

4 pm:

Your heart rate peaks at this time, as well as the body’s adrenalin levels. You are active and full of energy so it is a great time begin, or continue, with exercise. Your hair and nails are also likely to enjoy a growth spurt now.

5 pm:

If you needed an excuse to enjoy an after work drink, this is it – your body’s tolerance to alcohol is at its highest now, so chin-chin!

6 pm:

This is the time when the stomach produces excess acid, so it can cause acid reflux or aggravate stomach ulcers. Your body is now beginning to slow down, and heart rate and blood pressure are gradually reducing to get you ready for sleep.

7 pm:

Daylight should now have faded, and your body is now secreting melatonin to prepare you for sleep.

8 pm:

Liver enzymes increase now, so if you want a quick ‘night cap’ now is the time to enjoy one. For those who suffer from shingles, they may experience more pain at this time than at any other time during the 24-hour cycle.

9 pm:

The pain-blocking endorphin hormones are beginning to decrease now, making you susceptible to feeling pain and discomfort.

10 pm:

Your immunity is at it highest level at this time.

11 pm:

Histamine level rise, as does the sensitivity to allergies – again causing concern for those who suffer from asthma. High levels of melatonin at this time give our body instructions to get into bed as we become sleepy.

A Word from Gwen

Understanding this natural body cycle helps us to change our routines to complement it, instead of being at odds with it. If our body needs sleep to rejuvenate its cells, then we need to be asleep; if our body needs to eat as it metabolism and digestive system are functioning at their peaks, then we should eat; if our energy levels are high, we should engage in activities that require energy, and if they are low we should slow down and respect that instead of reaching for artificial stimulants.

We do have the capacity to change our lifestyles so that we are in perfect harmony with the body’s rhythm; we can choose to turn our back on the unhealthy ideology of the modern age and return, once again, to nature – understanding full well that it is only in a natural state that our health and wellbeing are at their highest, and where we are more connected to others and the spiritual.

Wishing you the best of health!