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Your TCM Biological Clock - The Best Time To Take Care of Yourself
By Moses Lin, L.Ac.

The Chinese have always followed nature's clock. Recently, scientists have evaluated some of the Chinese historical and folk health prevention techniques. Here's what the found:
The best time to take a bath - The best time for a bath is just before you go to sleep. A warm bath can relax your muscles, tendons and joints, and help you fall asleep easier.
The best time for facial rejuvenation - The skin reaches it optimal metabolism rate around midnight. This falls under the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, since the Liver is the organ of repair and rejuvenation and the Liver's time is 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. Applying skin products before sleep should provide the most benefit to the skin.
The 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 smell, hearing and vision are at their best acuity as this time. And at this time the body has a better ability to self-regulate, especially the heart rate and blood pressure. Many Chinese elders who are familiar with Chinese medicine prefer to exercise at this time since 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. belongs to the Kidney, the root of life.
The 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. Researchers have found out that walking within 45 minutes after a meal for 20 minutes at a rate of about three miles per hour releases the most calories (I am not suggesting counting calories). And walking two hours later for another 20 minutes can achieve significant weight loss.
The best time to sleep - The best time to take a nap is after 1 p.m. when all your body's senses are naturally waning, making it much easier to fall asleep. The best time to fall asleep at night is between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. since between midnight and 3 a.m. many of our body functions are at their lowest, such as breathing, body temperature and heartbeat.
The 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 these 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 today, not to mention cavities. While the ancient Chinese did not have toothbrushes, they always drank green tea immediately after meals.
The best time to open windows - For the best ventilation open you windows in the morning between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and in the afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. since at these times the temperature has climbed up and toxic air at the bottom of the atmosphere is gradually diminishing.
The best time to eat fruits - Traditionally, fruits are served after meals. However, the healthiest way to eat fruits is on hour before meals, as a protective measure for the immune system. Researchers have found that eating fruits after meals excessively stimulates the white blood cells in our immune system. In addition, eating fruit after meals disrupts the proper digestion of sugar in the intestine, causing symptoms like bloating and bowel irritation.