Many people have trouble sleeping these days or may wake up at certain hours at night not knowing why. For some, it has become a habit and they don’t think much more of it. But did you know that this “awakening” may mean that your body is communicating something deeper?
The ancient practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) studies “energy meridians” of the body, which are said to be connected to an internal clock mechanism that energizes the body. According to this ancient practice, not being able to sleep during certain hours or waking up in the middle of the night is something that we should not take for granted.

Waking up at a certain time during the night or in the early morning could mean your body is communicating physical or emotional issues related to your overall well-being. Indeed, it is said that we receive messages from a “higher power” during our rest cycle, and this could be one explanation as to why we wake up at a given hour.
1. Do you find it difficult to sleep between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.?

The hours between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. are when many people usually go to bed. If you are having a hard time sleeping during this time, it could mean that you are under a lot of stress. Freeing your mind of all worry through meditating can be an effective way to help you fall asleep during these hours.

2. Do you wake up between the hours of 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.?

According to traditional Chinese medicine, these are the hours that the gall bladder is at work, wherein it breaks down all the fat you have consumed during the day. It is advisable to switch to a healthier diet if waking during these hours becomes regular.
3. Do you wake up between the hours of 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.?

Waking up at these ungodly hours for any reason is a real bummer. Traditional Chinese medicine states that the associated time meridian relates to the liver and having too much anger or “yang” energy. They also say that anger and the liver function are closely related.
“Anger is the emotion associated with the liver. If you are often irritable, get angry easily, have trouble unwinding from the day’s activities, have trouble reasoning or going with the flow and letting things go, you are experiencing a liver function problem,” according to Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation. “Experiencing these emotions chronically or excessively can seriously unbalance the function of your liver.”

4. Do you wake up between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.?

5. Do you wake up between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.?

Waking up at these hours is quite normal for many of us, yet traditional Chinese medicine dictates that this time is connected with the energy of the large intestine, and may also signal emotional baggage one is carrying that one is not ready to let go of. If you need to get back to sleep, try some stretching exercises, go to the bathroom, and then see if you can get some more rest.

More ways you can improve your sleeping habits
Sleep can affect your health, your mood, and your ability to concentrate and perform well in your daily life. Various sleep disorders, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, are related to imbalances of qi in the body. Of the 12 qi meridians (believed to be conduits through which qi circulates) of the body, six are considered yin in nature (which are activated at night), while the other six are yang in nature (which are activated during the day).Improving sleep through diet
Eating more yin foods and less yang foods can help prevent insomnia. Cooling foods such as high-moisture foods, cucumber, watermelon, greens, and tofu can help the body increase its yin qi. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, sweets, and spicy foods can decrease the body’s yang energy. Chrysanthemum tea is also believed to cleanse the body of heat (yang energy).
Self massage before sleep
Stimulation of the anmian, or “peaceful sleep,” acupuncture point can be helpful for relaxation before bed. The anmian is located behind the ear, at the indentation next to the mastoid process (the boney protrusion behind the ear, near the base of the skull). Placing a finger on the depression and putting slight pressure while performing a circular motion 100 times will do.Hot foot bath

Go to bed between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
It’s best to ensure you are asleep by 11 p.m., as that is when the liver and gallbladder start regulating qi in the body. They also process emotions, balance hormones, and detoxify the body. According to modern science, these are also the hours when the stress hormone cortisol is reduced, which can reduce anxiety during waking hours.This leads credence to the saying that “Every hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight.”