Chinese Body Clock What to do at Each Hour

Chinese Body Clock What to do at Each Hour？ The Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine) has long pointed out that ‘human beings are intertwined with Heaven and Earth, and in harmony with the sun and moon’; ‘to follow Yin and Yang is to live; to go against them is to die; to conform to them is to maintain order; to defy them is to bring about chaos’.

As far as the changes in yin and yang in the natural world are concerned, nothing has a greater impact on humans than the alternation of the four seasons and the cycle of day and night. If we can align ourselves with the laws of nature, take proactive measures, and cultivate our health and prevent illness in accordance with the solar terms and the hours of the day, we can enhance our own resistance to disease and achieve the goal of falling ill less often, falling ill later in life, or remaining free from illness altogether.

The circulation of qi and blood in the human body is like a flowing stream, circulating ceaselessly and in a continuous cycle through the meridians. Throughout the day, qi and blood flow through different meridians at different times; by following this pattern, we can identify the health-preserving practices that bring the body the greatest comfort.

The Wisdom of Health Preservation Hidden in the Twelve Hours of the Day

1.Chinese Body Clock Zi Hour – Sleep

During the Zi Hour (23:00 to 01:00), the energy of the Gallbladder Meridian is at its peak, corresponding to the Winter Solstice. At this time, Yin energy reaches its zenith, after which it begins to wane, whilst Yang energy gradually begins to emerge.

Yang energy is the fire of life, and sleep is the best way to nourish it.

If one does not fall asleep at this time, yang energy cannot emerge smoothly, nor can yin energy be properly stored away, which can easily lead to an imbalance between yin and yang.

Some people feel particularly alert at this time, but this is not a sign of exceptional vitality; rather, it is a manifestation of the emergence of yang energy.

2.Chinese Body Clock Chou Hour and Yin Hour — Resting Well

The hours of Chou (1 am to 3 am) and Yin (3 am to 5 am) are the periods when qi and blood flow through the Liver and Lung meridians.

Resting during the hour of Chou helps the liver to complete the metabolism of blood, thereby delivering fresh blood to the lungs, which in turn distribute it throughout the body.

In this way, people can wake up in the early morning with a rosy complexion and brimming with energy. Consequently, those who frequently stay up late are prone to developing a sallow, ashen complexion, and may feel listless and easily irritable.

This period marks the stage when yang energy begins to stir and the body’s qi and blood transition from a state of rest to one of activity. Those with insufficient qi and blood or a weak constitution are prone to waking early during this time, whilst those with lung ailments are also more likely to experience flare-ups.

3. Chinese Body Clock Mao Hour – Hydration

During the Mao Hour (5.00–7.00 am), the Large Intestine Meridian is ‘active’, making this the most favourable time for elimination. Getting up at this time, stretching your back, breathing in fresh air and drinking a large glass of water can help flush out toxins and waste from the body, preparing you for the day’s work.

There is a specific method for drinking water: it is advisable to drink ‘Yin-Yang water’, which is a mixture of hot and cold boiled water, consumed in one go. This helps the water reach the large intestine quickly, stimulating intestinal peristalsis and promoting bowel movements.

The key to looking after the Large Intestine Meridian lies in developing the habit of having regular bowel movements. For those who experience difficulty passing stools, massaging the Tianshu acupoint may also be beneficial.

4. Chinese Body Clock Chen and Si Hours — Nurturing the Spleen and Stomach

The Chen hour (7.00–9.00) is when qi and blood flow through the Stomach Meridian; the Si hour (9.00–11.00) is the first ‘golden period’ of the working day, when the energy of the Spleen Meridian is at its peak.

By the Hour of Chen, the body’s yang energy has fully risen, and the stomach’s ability to transform and transport nutrients is at its peak; by 9.00 am, the Spleen Meridian begins its ‘shift’, converting absorbed food into nutrients and distributing them throughout the body.

If one skips breakfast at this time, the stomach continues to secrete gastric acid; over time, this can easily lead to conditions such as gastric ulcers, gastritis and duodenitis.

The Spleen governs the muscles of the limbs; in addition to maintaining a regular diet, exercise is also essential.

Exercising between 9 am and 11 am, when the Spleen Meridian is at its peak, yields the best results.

Office workers can make use of breaks at work to cross their legs in a ‘4’ shape and then tap downwards along the course of the Spleen Meridian on the inner side of the lower limbs; this can also help to strengthen the spleen.

5.Chinese Body Clock Midday – Nourishing the Heart

Midday (11:00 to 13:00) marks the turning point in the flow of cosmic energy, when yin energy gradually increases whilst yang energy wanes; at this time, the Heart Meridian is at its peak. The heart cannot be ‘tonified’; it can only be nurtured through proper care. An afternoon nap is the best way to nourish the heart.

As the Heart Meridian is at its peak during the Hour of the Horse, this is also the optimal time to nourish the heart and spirit; the benefits far exceed those of sleep at other times of the day, enabling one to replenish energy and prepare for the afternoon’s work and study.

The Hours of the Rat and the Horse mark the pivotal junctures of the transition between yin and yang in the cosmos; the ancients referred to taking a ‘Zi-Wu nap’ as ‘stealing the vital energy of heaven and earth’.

6.Chinese Body Clock The Hour of the Goat — Nourishing the Intestines

At the Hour of Wei (13:00 to 15:00), the Small Intestine Meridian is at its peak, making this the optimal time to nurture the small intestine.

After lunch, the blood is at its richest in nutrients, and drinking a glass of water helps to protect the blood vessels.

It is best to finish lunch before 13:00 during the Hour of Wei, so that nutrients can be fully absorbed whilst the small intestine is functioning at its peak. The saying ‘do not eat after noon’ therefore holds some truth.

The physiological functions of the small intestine are to receive and transform substances and to distinguish between the clear and the turbid; it directs fluids to the bladder, sends waste matter to the large intestine, and transports the essence upwards to the spleen.

7.Chinese Body Clock Shen Hour — Patting the Back

The Shen Hour (15:00 to 17:00) is the second ‘golden period’ of the working day, when the Bladder Meridian is at its peak.

The Bladder Meridian runs along the back, on either side of the spine; it serves not only as the ‘storehouse’ of the body’s yang energy but also as two ‘highways’ that connect the entire body and distribute yang energy.

A simple and effective method of stimulating the acupoints along the Bladder Meridian is to tap the back; this is an excellent way to relax, particularly when the body is fatigued.

During work breaks, particularly at the Hour of Shen when the Bladder Meridian is at its peak, tapping the back can quickly relieve fatigue, boost yang energy and invigorate the spirit.

8.Chinese Body Clock The Hour of You — Nourishing the Kidneys

The Hour of You (17:00 to 19:00) is a period of the day akin to autumn and winter, symbolising harvest and storage. The body’s ‘provisions’ are essence, qi and blood, whilst the ‘storehouse’ is the kidneys.

The Hour of You is when qi and blood flow through the Kidney Meridian; it is also the optimal time to store essence and nourish the kidneys. Whether it be foods or medicines to tonify the kidneys, or practices to benefit the kidneys and consolidate essence—such as massaging the kidneys or the ‘knocking the teeth’ exercise—the Hour of You is the best time to perform them.

During the Shen hour, the Bladder Meridian detoxifies; during the You hour, the Kidney Meridian stores essence. Only when elimination and storage function normally, and the flow of substances in and out is orderly, can health be sustained and life free from worry.

9.Chinese Body Clock Xu Hour — Nourishing the Pericardium

The Xu Hour (19:00 to 21:00) is the time when qi and blood flow through the Pericardium Meridian. The Pericardium Meridian is the meridian associated with the pericardium, which can be regarded as the heart’s ‘bodyguard’.

The two conditions to which modern people are most prone—cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and mental health disorders—are both related to the Pericardium Meridian.

Therefore, stimulating the Pericardium Meridian to promote the vigorous circulation of qi and blood is an effective strategy for preventing these conditions.

The Zhongchong acupoint is the terminus of the Pericardium Meridian, located at the tip of the middle finger. Applying pressure to the Zhongchong acupoint can be used for emergency relief of palpitations, chest tightness and angina.

Continuous stimulation of the Zhongchong acupoint for 5 minutes can also significantly improve insomnia.

10.Chinese Body Clock Hour of Hai — Unblocking the Triple Energiser

During the Hour of Hai (21:00 to 23:00), the Triple Energiser Meridian is active. The Triple Energiser connects all the meridians and serves as the channel through which primordial qi flows; when qi flows smoothly, all ailments are dispelled.

If the flow of qi in the Triple Energiser is obstructed, primordial qi cannot be distributed properly, which can easily lead to cold hands and feet.

The Triple Energiser can be unblocked by applying pressure to the source point of the Triple Energiser Meridian (Yangchi).

The specific method is as follows: turn the back of your hand upwards; several creases will appear on your wrist. Apply pressure to the crease closest to the back of your hand; at the centre, you will find a tender point—this is the Yangchi acupoint.