Waking in the Night?

Ever wonder why you wake up around the same time every night?

The reason may not be as random as you think.

I have been a Natural Medicine Junkie for a long time (24 plus years now).  I have found so many of my clients have similar complaints and patterns. Many of them don't sleep through the night. I have seen tons of health opinions that trend and disappear.  But one thing that I always fall back on is the Chinese Meridian Clock. As with any of the things I do in my Natural Medicine business, I use it as a reference. I look at the whole body and use all the clues to help me when I work with my clients.

What is the Chinese Meridian Clock?

The study of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) led me to understanding more about the Chinese Meridian Clock. The clock represents the flow of energy at different times of the day as it relates to specific organs of the body. With my study of TCM, I have also found it fascinating that each organ is related to a specific emotion. Each organ system is associated with a two hour window of time in which each specific organ or body system is considered to be the most active. So when assessing clients who wake at specific times of the night, I find it helpful to refer to the Chinese Meridian Clock to check for reoccurring patterns.

Why Do You Wake Between 3-5 AM?

One of the most common patterns I’ve observed is waking between 3 and 5 AM. Let’s explore what might be happening in your body during this time. The Chinese Meridian Clock indicates that the Lung Meridian is most active during the 3-5 AM period.  The Lung Meridian is often associated with the emotions of grief and sadness, as well as the function of respiration. TCM believes that emotions can manifest in the physical body. Some would go as far to say that unresolved grief could even impact lung disease.

How to Support Your Lungs and Emotional Well-Being?

• Support your lungs by drinking a cup of Throat Coat Tea before bed. Throat Coat Tea has a wonderful combination of powerful herbs that act as a soothing blanket to the lining of your lungs (and other organs). Other beneficial single herbs include mullein, slippery elm, and marshmallow root. If you strengthen the lungs, you often have less respiratory concerns as well as improve your immune system. Consult an herbalist like me to determine the best option for you.   
• Stay hydrated. Make sure you are drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of clean water a day. I recommend spring water, distilled water, or reverse osmosis over tap water. Your lungs need hydration.
• Practice breathing exercises before bed. The Calm app has some great breathing exercises that are easy to follow. If you need a more tangible tool, purchase a spirometer.
• Purchase a Spirometer. When I worked in the hospital setting as a Speech Pathologist, this was the #1 tool I used with 90% of my patients. A spirometer is a device you inhale through to exercise your lungs. In my opinion, it is the most underrated tool we have to improve oxygenation. It not only helps to strengthen your lungs but helps clear mucus and other secretions to prevent infection. Great tool to also use with changing of seasons.
• Talking with a counselor or a friend to help focus on moving through the stages of grief and finding emotional healing. Join a Grief Share group in your area or contact your local hospital to ask of other available groups.

This topic is near to my heart. I have found a DIRECT correlation between the times I am waking in the night and the emotions I am working through. I typically sleep soundly through the night. However, I experience frequent waking in the night when I am working through heavy emotions, especially grief. Referring to the Chinese Meridian Clock has helped me check my emotions and evaluate how to support my body.

If you’ve been waking at the same time each night, your body may be sending you clues.  Let’s work together to decode it. Schedule a Discovery Call with me to consider fine-tuning your health.