We’re already seeing Christmas commercials?
- What should I do with all of those leaves on my lawn? Mulch? Landfill?
- Which ski slope will open first?
- CAN WE JUST GET RID OF CHANGING THE CLOCKS FROM DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME TO STANDARD TIME?
- It’s going to be dark at 4:00 p.m. My life is over.
Fewer than 40% of the countries in the world recognize Daylight Saving Time (DST). Countries close to the equator say, why bother? They count on roughly 12 hours of sunlight, 12 hours of nighttime.
61% of the American public wants to discontinue this bi-annual tradition of changing the clock.
Guess what. For the time being, we’ve got to adapt, pick up the shattered pieces of our lives and move on.
What can we do?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes a circadian rhythm which considers more than just sleep patterns. The organs and meridians follow a rhythm throughout the day.
I was having a conversation yesterday with people who are both for and against the changing of the clock. What do you suppose the battling points are?
61% of the American public wants to discontinue this bi-annual tradition of changing the clock.
Guess what. For the time being, we’ve got to adapt, pick up the shattered pieces of our lives and move on.
What can we do?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes a circadian rhythm which considers more than just sleep patterns. The organs and meridians follow a rhythm throughout the day.
I was having a conversation yesterday with people who are both for and against the changing of the clock. What do you suppose the battling points are?
"It’s gets dark so early."
"The sun wakes me up so early."
Or, in my case, our beloved dog Zadie wakes me up early because the sun is coming up and it’s time to go outside to pee, eat, and then play with her wiggle giggle toy. Ugh.
“Zadie, I was having the BEST dream!”
Zadie can’t tell time. She just knows to follow the rhythms of nature. “Sun is coming up, I’m hungry, I’m ready to get to work playing with my wiggle giggle.
Be like Zadie, go with the flow. Embrace rather than resist.
What does Traditional Chinese Medicine have to say about all of this?
First off, Yang and Yin.
Yang = the sunny side of the mountain, light, daytime, active time, awake time…
Yin = the shady side of the mountain, dark, cooler, quiet…
Our rhythms are active when it’s light, and become quiet as it gets dark.
Sunday night, after changing our clocks I climbed into bed at 7:45 p.m. to read. I was sound asleep by 8:00.
Look at that meridian horary chart above. For many of us our morning rhythms begin around 7:00, give or take. We prepare to wake up by first having a really good deep sleep full of dreams and memories. Then, Zadie gets things rolling.
Yin time. It’s dark, time to make dinner. Wait! It’s only 4:00! Zadie wants her dinner and is sulky because she can’t go outside and play with her wiggle giggle. So, we’re retreating. Is it bedtime yet?!?!?
"The sun wakes me up so early."
Or, in my case, our beloved dog Zadie wakes me up early because the sun is coming up and it’s time to go outside to pee, eat, and then play with her wiggle giggle toy. Ugh.
“Zadie, I was having the BEST dream!”
Zadie can’t tell time. She just knows to follow the rhythms of nature. “Sun is coming up, I’m hungry, I’m ready to get to work playing with my wiggle giggle.
Be like Zadie, go with the flow. Embrace rather than resist.
What does Traditional Chinese Medicine have to say about all of this?
First off, Yang and Yin.
Yang = the sunny side of the mountain, light, daytime, active time, awake time…
Yin = the shady side of the mountain, dark, cooler, quiet…
Our rhythms are active when it’s light, and become quiet as it gets dark.
Sunday night, after changing our clocks I climbed into bed at 7:45 p.m. to read. I was sound asleep by 8:00.
Look at that meridian horary chart above. For many of us our morning rhythms begin around 7:00, give or take. We prepare to wake up by first having a really good deep sleep full of dreams and memories. Then, Zadie gets things rolling.
Yin time. It’s dark, time to make dinner. Wait! It’s only 4:00! Zadie wants her dinner and is sulky because she can’t go outside and play with her wiggle giggle. So, we’re retreating. Is it bedtime yet?!?!?
Early morning, Lung and Large Intestine Meridian time. We move first inward: dreams and memories. And then outward: get up and give our new day structure and new meaning. Contract, expand. The associated element is metal. Clarity, renewed convictions, motivation, metal characteristics.
Back in the day when I used to hang out at a yoga ashram, we were encouraged to get up at 4:00 a.m. to practice yoga in a very meditative state.
Encouraged. Well…
Noon-time yoga was energetic. It got our blood pumping and got us perspiring and ready for lunch. Heart Meridian time.
Late afternoon, Kidney and Bladder time. Water element. We move, we flow, we start to wrap up our day. "I hope you HAD a nice day" past tense.
The Kidney Meridian specifically is related to rhythmic change and adaptation. Think of water. It moves and flows down a stream rapidly or in a languid fashion. It gladly follows the topography.
Sea water is affected by the moon, the tides rise and fall.
Back in the day when I used to hang out at a yoga ashram, we were encouraged to get up at 4:00 a.m. to practice yoga in a very meditative state.
Encouraged. Well…
Noon-time yoga was energetic. It got our blood pumping and got us perspiring and ready for lunch. Heart Meridian time.
Late afternoon, Kidney and Bladder time. Water element. We move, we flow, we start to wrap up our day. "I hope you HAD a nice day" past tense.
The Kidney Meridian specifically is related to rhythmic change and adaptation. Think of water. It moves and flows down a stream rapidly or in a languid fashion. It gladly follows the topography.
Sea water is affected by the moon, the tides rise and fall.
Water moves around obstacles. It adapts and forges on. The eventual destination is back to the sea. Where it will be drawn up to the clouds and descend back down to the earth to start the adventure all over again.
What can we do? The adjustment is actually easier in the Fall because we don't lose an hour of sleep, we theoretically gain an hour. Unless you have Zadie around.
Update your clocks in advance.
Just like traveling overseas, make yourself stay awake that extra hour.
Turn off the devises.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol and snacks before bed.
Take a cat nap during the day if needed. You kidding? I LIVE for naps.
In our upcoming Qigong practice in a park we're going to meet later, 2:00 p.m. rather than 9:00 a.m. This is a Yin time of absorption: slow, easy, mindful. We're going to expand, contract and nurture the Lung and Kidney Meridians.
Lung meridian work: inhale, exhale. Expand, contract. Breathe!
Kidney Meridian work: adapt, change, go with the flow, move like water, don't resist, laugh at obstacles.
I started thinking about this clock change business after watching this video by Sifu Bodhi Battista.
Enjoy!
By the way in 2024, daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 10, and end for the year at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss
Brian
What can we do? The adjustment is actually easier in the Fall because we don't lose an hour of sleep, we theoretically gain an hour. Unless you have Zadie around.
Update your clocks in advance.
Just like traveling overseas, make yourself stay awake that extra hour.
Turn off the devises.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol and snacks before bed.
Take a cat nap during the day if needed. You kidding? I LIVE for naps.
In our upcoming Qigong practice in a park we're going to meet later, 2:00 p.m. rather than 9:00 a.m. This is a Yin time of absorption: slow, easy, mindful. We're going to expand, contract and nurture the Lung and Kidney Meridians.
Lung meridian work: inhale, exhale. Expand, contract. Breathe!
Kidney Meridian work: adapt, change, go with the flow, move like water, don't resist, laugh at obstacles.
I started thinking about this clock change business after watching this video by Sifu Bodhi Battista.
Enjoy!
By the way in 2024, daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 10, and end for the year at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Be well, be happy, and follow your bliss
Brian
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