The real reason you wake up at 3am
Image: Ann Danilina // Unsplash
If you’ve ever suffered from bouts of insomnia, you’ll know there is nothing more frustrating than finally getting to sleep, only to find yourself wide awake again at 3am. How can it be, you need an alarm to wake up for work, but your body is ready to rock at 3am on the dot every night?
It could be that your body is trying to tell you something. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) assigns different times of the day to different elements which form the basis of its philosophy. “Each element also has a yin and yang organ system and meridian (energy channels) which are interconnected,” explains TCM expert and acupuncturist Dr Emma Quine. “The organs have different emotional and bodily functions and are at their peak during their two hour time slot. If there is an imbalance in an organ or meridian system, you may experience certain symptoms as the body tries to communicate what's happening internally.”
So what do the dreaded wake-ups say about your health? Noting the time you wake up is crucial to understanding what it is your body wants you to know.
WHAT DOES WAKING UP BETWEEN 1AM AND 3AM MEAN?
THE MESSAGE
“If you are waking up between 1-3am, this is the peak of the liver organ and may be a reflection of conscious or unconscious unresolved anger, frustration or anxiety,” explains Emma.
THE FIX
“When the liver energy is 'stuck', that's when irritability, bad moods and possibly PMT is an issue,” Emma says. Try the following:
Spend more time in nature, gardening or nurturing your pot plants as it correlates to the element Wood
Incorporate the colour green – which is associated with the liver –into your life (through your clothes, interiors etc) and by eating more greens too.
Drink lemon water when you wake up in the morning as liver is associated with sour flavour.
Exercise daily as it helps to keep the liver energy flowing (ideally outdoors).
WHAT DOES WAKING UP BETWEEN 3AM AND 5AM MEAN?
THE MESSAGE
“If you are waking up between 3-5am, this the lung organ time zone. In TCM, the lung correlates to grief and sadness. Waking at this time can indicate that these emotions may need to be addressed,” says Emma.
THE FIX
If you are waking between 3-5am, you need to help rebalance your lung organ and meridian system. Try the following:
The lung correlates to the element air, so any breathing exercises and regular deep breaths will really help.
Practice “box breathing” four slow breaths in, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts and hold at the bottom of the exhale for four counts, then repeat the circuit several times. This is a great practice before bed.
Incorporate the colour white (which is associated with the lungs) into your life – treat yourself to some white flowers and wear more white.
The lung flavour is spicy, so to strengthen lung function add spring onion, leek, ginger, garlic and pepper to your meals.
THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE BODY CLOCK
11pm – 1am : Gallbladder
Element: Wood
Emotion being processed: Anger
1am – 3am: Liver
Element: Wood
Emotions being processed: Anger
3am – 5am: Lung
Element: Metal
Emotions being processed: Grief
5am –7am: Large Intestine
Element: Metal
Emotions being processed: Grief
7am – 9am: Stomach
Element: Earth
Emotions being processed: Worry
9am – 11am: Spleen
Element: Earth
Emotions being processed: Worry
11am – 1pm: Heart
Element: Fire
Emotions being processed: Joy
1pm – 3pm: Small intestine
Element: Fire
Emotions being processed: Joy
3pm – 5pm: Bladder
Element: Water
Emotions being processed: Fear
5pm – 7pm: Kidney
Element: Water
Emotions being processed: Fear
7pm – 9pm: Pericardium
Element: Fire
Emotions being processed: Joy
9pm – 11pm: Triple heater
Element: Fire
Emotions being processed: Joy
