Why does it matter when we sleep?

Today’s question was “Why does it matter when we sleep?”   I had referred in a previous article to the fact that each hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight. 

The human body is one of the most innately intelligent pieces of equipment ever conceived.  It is born with a cellular 24-hour time clock known by science as the “Circadian Rhythm.”   It knows that it should begin the healing process for each part of the body at a certain time of the 24-hour day.  And just for your thoughts, remember your body does not observe daylight savings—it goes with the clock of the brain, sun, and moon (light and dark), just like the rest of nature.  There are environmental clues for this clock called Zeitgebers. Zeitgebers help to maintain the clock if there is an absence of light and dark. If you lose your exposure to light-dark cycles, your body will become “free-running,” without rhythm.

As close as we can tell, here are the times (true time) and your body healing functions:

Now I am not saying that any organs are expendable, but if you look at what is healing between
9 PM and 7 AM – you will see that these organs are major players in controlling those actions of most of the other organs. 

• Triple warmer is the master cylinder for the body, commanding where the emphasis of energy should go to throughout the body systems.  
• Gall bladder controls much of the enzymatic actions of the digestive system along with the liver. 
• Liver is the major organ of purification for the body as well as a major player in the production of hormones (those little life sparks the body needs to function).
• Large intestine is the waste dump. This organ must remain clean or it allows the recycling of toxic waste back throughout the entire body.

Science does not know why the body clock is so powerful, but there is much excitement about learning to work with the body during this circadian rhythm.  Some organs and systems heal better when they are at rest, yet others respond to supplements and medication more efficiently when they are at the best level of activity.  Clinically we see those who sleep from 10 PM to 6 AM heal faster than those with less normal sleeping patterns – especially folks who must work night shifts or extremely long hours.  If you have more interest, check out these sites:

www.livescience.com

www.taipeitimes.com

www.en.wikipedia.org

— Joan    © 2007  Joan Goodman

Joan Goodman, CTN, MH
1950 Eldridge Parkway, Suite #5101
Houston, TX  77077

281-493-9473 

All articles are copyrighted by Joan Goodman. They may only be reprinted with her express permission.

BACK TO ARTICLES