If you’ve experienced trauma in childhood, it can be very difficult to cultivate a sense of safety and security. You always feel a bit “off kilter.” One gentle approach to feeling more grounded is to reconnect with life’s daily rhythms—like your natural sleep, eating, and rest patterns. Particularly in times when life has been anything but, Daoist healing strongly emphasizes these natural cycles and how we can feel more balanced and stable by aligning with them.
We’ll discuss simple strategies to work with these daily cycles and the “Organ Clock” (yeah, your organs really have their own timetable!) to support improved sleep, digestion, and relaxation in this post. It’s all about cultivating routines that make you feel safe and steady.
What’s the Difference Between Daily Cycles and the Organ Clock?
Your body’s natural flow during the day—waking up, having energy to do things, winding down, and sleeping—reflect the basics of the daily cycle. Conversely, an interesting aspect of Daoist healing is the organ clock concept, which delineates specific times when each organ is most active. Combining the two creates a sort of road map for organizing your daily activities in a way that feels natural and supportive.
Sleep Patterns and Your Body’s Natural Cycle
For optimal healing, getting sleep back on schedule can be a game-changer. Trauma throws-off our sleep-wake cycle and makes feeling rested difficult. Daoist wisdom sees humans as diurnal creatures—that is, beings who are naturally supposed to be awake during the day and asleep at night (just as animals have their own cycles). Thus, establishing a consistent bedtime—ideally around 10 or 11 p.m.—can help to reset that cycle.
If winding down is a struggle for you, consider establishing a small pre-sleep ritual. Perhaps read a book, perform some mild stretches, or simply spend a few minutes practicing slow, deep breathing. These little routines remind your body that it’s time to rest. You don’t have to do it perfectly every night; instead, aim for consistency and, with time, you’ll find yourself feeling more rested and calm.
Meal Timing and the Organ Clock
Though it may seem like a little thing, eating around the same time every day can have a big impact, especially for digestion. The organ clock concept confirms the idea that eating breakfast truly can give you an energetic head start in the morning, since the Stomach’s peak time is 7–9 a.m. Later, from 1–3 p.m., the Small Intestine is in full swing, making lunch the perfect occasion for a bigger meal. As your digestive energy is at its lowest in the evening, dinner should be the lightest meal of the day.
If you have struggled with either, establishing regular meal times can help balance your energy and regulate your mood, which can really have a positive impact on your life. Even starting with one meal at a consistent time every day can make a difference.
Taking Rest Breaks Throughout the Day
Taking short breaks when your energy naturally dips will also help your body feel safe and calm. For instance, the Spleen’s energy—which in Daoism is connected to grounding and focus—peaks from 9–11 a.m.. As such, this is a good time to stop for a few minutes of deep breathing or simply a quiet moment.
Try easing into rest with calming activities in the evening when your energy naturally slows down—choose practices such as stretching, listening to music, or anything that seems soothing. Particularly useful when hypervigilance—that chronic “on edge” sensation common to trauma survivors—is a major component of your experience, building in little, predictable breaks like this tells your body it’s alright to relax.
Little Adjustments, Great Impact
Making these changes need not be stressful. Start with one or two little adjustments—such as actually eating breakfast in the morning or getting to bed at the same time—then notice how it feels. The aim is not perfection; it’s about slowly leading your body back to its normal rhythms.
Bringing It All Together: Stability Through Natural Rhythms
Although it seems simple, reconnecting with the rhythms of your body is a potent approach to facilitate healing. You’re allowing your body to rest, recover, and feel safe when you align with its natural flow. This week try one or two ideas and see how these little adjustments can help you feel more grounded. Though healing takes time, every little step helps you get back in touch with yourself and achieve a bit more daily balance.