Our body has an internal clock which helps us in getting our precious sound sleep. When we sleep properly, we don’t really wake up that easily unless we have had a solid 6-8 hours of sleep – which is what our body ideally requires. But there are instances when we might wake up all of a sudden in the night.
Maybe a loud car passing by or the scratching outside the room causes it. That is fine. But if you wake up automatically at a specific time in the night, then there might be some issue with your body-mind connection, as per the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). When our internal clock gets disrupted, then we might start waking up at odd times during our sound sleep phase.
Traditional Chinese Medicine puts these 5 periods of waking up and points out what could be the problem:
Problems in the Endocrine System: 9 pm to 12 pm
Our glands work together to form the Endocrine system. It controls all the hormonal actions of our body. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist, Monda Dan, this happens to be the ideal time when you should go to bed and fall asleep. Under natural circumstances, you won’t have a problem to fall asleep during this time. However, if you do find it difficult, then you might have a hormonal imbalance in your body. Cortisol, the stress hormones, might be more in your blood and might be acting on your body constantly. Meditation and relieving stress are key to solving this.
Issues with you Gallbladder: 11 pm to 1 am
This pear-shaped organ is located just below the liver and it stores a useful component called bile. It helps in the digestion of fats and is necessary for our body to retain nutrients from the food we eat. A naturopathic doctor working at Moncton Neuropathic Medical Clinic located in Moncton, Canada, Dr Lyndsay Wareham says that it can also affect our decision-making skills and self-esteem. If you are not already sleeping by this hour, then you might have low self-esteem issues and may have poor judgments. On the other hand, if you suddenly wake up during this time, then you have an unsteady self-esteem issue. Try some mantras to help you with it.
Problems with Liver: 1 to 3 am
The liver helps in the smooth flowing of energy, blood or Qi, as per TCM. That’s why any kind of obstruction to this free flow of energy can lead to anger issues. So, if you have had a terrible day and have been pushing your anger down, then you might be waking up all of a sudden during this time. Drink a cold glass of water to calm yourself down.
Problems with Lungs: 3 am to 5 am
As per TCM practice, lungs help in our immune system and in directing our energy flow. Emotions are generated in our lungs so any kind of toxins that get accumulated in our lungs can end up causing excess emotional negativity to our body and mind. So, if you are suddenly waking up during this period, then you might be suffering from some deep-seated grief which you need to address.
Issues with Large Intestines: 5 to 7 am
There are many early risers, but if you are waking up at 5 am, then you might have some issue related to large intestines. According to Dr Wareham, this is the part that helps you release your emotional distress and helps you to let go of emotions. So, if you feel like there is a kind of emotional block, then try some stretching exercises in the bathroom and go back to bed.
The ancient TCM is not a forgotten art and it does relieve you from certain issues that you are facing while you sleep. Remember, sleep is essential, so you must do whatever you can to get the 6-8 hours of sound sleep to remain your most productive all day.
