It might surprise you that Chinese medicine promotes the concept that we don’t always need the same amount of sleep all the time.
Just as the season change, so too should our body.
In Perth right now, its summer – the hot days and warm nights mean it’s hard to fall asleep early. That’s ok! If your body is naturally waking up earlier in summer thats ok too.
The picture above shows the seasonal approach to sleep according to one of the oldest textbooks of Chinese medicine, the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine).
In summary, you need the LEAST sleep in Summer and the MOST sleep in Winter. The other two seasons serve as transitions for the polar opposites of these hot and cold months. As the evening cools, and morning sunrise is gets later, Autumn will be approaching. In Autumn, you can go to bed at the same time as summer, but start to rise a little later.
ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: Marie Hopkinson
Marie Hopkinson is a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Practicing from her clinic in North Perth, WA- METRO HEALTH AND MEDICINE. Marie can be consulted for appointments, while in-person is preferred, Email /phone consultations can be arranged. Marie has been practicing since 2000, completing initial 3-year course in Chinese Medicine at the Perth Academy of Natural Therapies in WA. Marie has been to China for additional training in the Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital (Hangzhou Shi Zhong Yi Yuan) twice as well as completing a Master of International Health at Curtin University in 2006. Marie is passionate about the effective practice and understanding of Chinese Medicine and enjoys the opportunity to educate patients about the benefits of self-help aspects such as diet therapy, as well as teaching Chinese Medicine at the Endeavour College of Natural Health.
For more info about booking an appointment with Marie CLICK HERE.
For more info about conditions treated with Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Medicine CLICK HERE.
As with any health problem, we recommend seeking appropriate medical attention, professional diagnosis and immediate emergency help if you have undiagnosed pain or symptoms particularly if the symptoms are escalating (getting worse and worse). If you see a practitioner at Metro health and Medicine they may also refer you to a western medicine doctor (GP or hospital) as appropriate. This blog is not intended to replace a medical treatment or consultation.