Biorhythms and Inner Balance

By Betty Sleeth, with excerpts from the Creating Health course
taught at Myofascial Therapy Center

“Health and disease don’t just happen to us. They are active processes issuing from inner harmony or disharmony, profoundly affected by our states of consciousness, our ability to flow with experience.” Marilyn Ferguson

Harmonizing our internal rhythms with those of the environment enables us to receive maximum nourishment with minimal stress.

The earliest sign of “dis-ease” is a disruption in biological rhythms. This “dis-ease” first expresses itself with discomforts like fatigue, sluggish digestion, generalized pain or dull appetite. How is it that we can listen to these gentle signals and more toward rebalance with awareness?

The following suggestions are based on the definition of health being more than the absence of disease; health is a vibrant state of physical, mental and spiritual well being. If these suggestions seen strange or out of sync with your life style, we recommend making small changes. Notice the difference as your inner balance becomes more alive.

Maximizing our own circadian rhythms

6 - 10am is the best time for physical activity

10am – 2pm Is the best time for eating the main meal of the day. Eat when you are hungry and until you are satisfied.

2– 6pm is the best time for creative mental activity.

6 – 10pm is the best time for decreased activity, prepare to sleep.

10pm – 2am is the best time for physical renewal and rejuvenation. A 10pm bedtime is recommended so that the body can rebuild. If we start projects after 10 we are using rebuilding energy for activity.

2am – 6am is the best time for mental renewal and rejuvenation.

Daily self-massage

Massage nourishes the tissue, stimulates the skin’s “pharmacy”, improves the circulation, increases alertness, helps in detoxification and improves immunity.

Heat approximately 1/2 cup of sesame oil slightly higher than body temperature.

a. * Start with the head: Pour oil on hands and using the flat of the hand cover the scalp with small circular strokes, Move to face and ears, massaging gently. Next move to temples and backs of ears.
b. Apply more oil to hands and massage the neck, front and back, then the shoulders.
c. Vigorously massage your arms, using a circular motion at the shoulders and elbows and long back-and-forth motions on the long parts.
d. Use large, gentle, circular motions to massage the chest, stomach and lower abdomen (clockwise). Use a straight up-and-down motion over the breastbone.
e. Next, reach around without straining to massage the back and spine; use up-and–down motion, or whatever you can do.
f. Massage the legs as you did the arms, circular at the ankle and knees, straight up-and-down on longer parts.
g. Use remaining oil to massage the feet. Continue to use the flat of the hand except around toes, which you can massage like fingers.

* Some people massage the head without oil.
After your massage, shower with warm water and mild soap.

Behavioral activities that create more health and happiness on a daily basis.
-- Treat others as you would want to be treated.
-- Practice random acts of kindness.
-- Adopt an attitude of simplicity and trust the present moment.

Energy Producing Exercises to be done on a daily basis
Let your barefeet touch the earth.
Walk along natural bodies of water.
Feel the sun on your face and body.
Inhale the breath of plants.
Gaze at the stars and moon.
Eat freshly prepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Just begin! Choose a few changes, then notice how your quality of health starts to shift balance.