Biological Clock

The Best Time to Take Care of Yourself

By Moses Lin, L.Ac., Ph.D.

The Chinese have always followed the clocks of nature. Recently, scientists have evaluated some of the Chinese historical and folk health prevention techniques. Here’s what they have found:

Best time to take a bath – Best time to take a warm bath is still before sleep. The bath can relax the muscles, tendons and joints, thus, helping the body to fall asleep easier.

Best time for facial rejuvenation – the skin reaches its optimal metabolism rate around midnight. This falls under the theory of Chinese medicine since the Liver is the organ of repair and rejuvenation; (1-3am). Thus, applying skin products before sleep would provide most benefits to the skin.

Best time to exercise – scientists have found out recently that the best time to exercise is actually near evening. The reason is that the physical strength or ability to adapt is best in the late afternoon or during sunset. Sensory functions such as smelling, hearing and vision are at their best acuity. Besides, the body at this time has better ability to self-regulate – especially heart rate and blood pressure. Many Chinese elderly familiar with Chinese medicine prefer to exercise at this time since 5-7pm belongs to the Kidney, the root of life. Best time to take a walk – there is an old Chinese saying: you will live to a hundred years if you walk a hundred steps after meals. Researches have found out that walking within 45 minutes after meals for 20minutes with 3 miles/hr releases the most calories (I am not suggesting counting calories). And walk again for another 20 minutes after 2 hours can achieve weight loss phenomenon.

Best time to sleep – Best time to take a nap is after 1pm when all body senses are felling, thus making it much easy to fall asleep. The best time to sleep at night is between 10pm to 11pm, since between 12am -3am all our signs are lowest such as breathing, body temperature and heartbeat.

Best time to brush your teeth – Brushing your teeth in the morning and evening is surely important, but the best time to brush them is within 3 minutes after your meal. The bacteria in your mouth will start to digest food left in your mouth and their byproduct is known to cause many cancers we know today, not to mention the cavity. While ancient Chinese did not have toothbrushes, they drank green tea immediately after meals.

Best time to open windows – for best ventilation, open your windows in the morning between 9am-11am and in the afternoon 2pm-4pm. Since at these times the temperature has climbed up and toxic air at the bottom of the atmosphere is gradually diminishing.

Best time to eat fruits – traditionally, fruits are served after meals. However, the healthiest way to eat fruits is 1 hour before meals. Researches have found out that eating fruits after meals excessively stimulates white blood cells (our immune system). In addition, fruits after meals also disrupt proper digestion of sugar in the intestine thus symptoms like bloating and bowel irritation. Therefore, it is a protective measurement for the immune system.