| Dear Linda
Every 24 hours we go through what is known as a circadian rhythm. This rhythm regulates our alternating periods of sleep and wakefulness and is an important part of keeping us healthy. This biological rhythm is in tune with the natural 24 hour cycle of the earth’s rotation and as long as we don't override it we are able to replenish spent energy and renew worn out cells. As we all know a good night’s sleep prepares us for the next day and if we want to stay healthy, alert and focussed we can not afford to break this rhythm too often. What is not so well known is the ultradian rhythm. This is our basic rest, activity cycle that modulates our mind body rhythms every 90 to 120 minutes. These rhythms have a bearing on our mental alertness, our emotional states, creativity, energy levels, appetite, physical performance and memory but unlike our sleep/wake cycle lots of us ignore the call of the ultradian rhythm to take a break. While we are built to override this call when circumstances demand it, to do so on a regular basis has been shown, through scientifically run trials, to undermine our physical, mental and emotional health.
When you notice your ultradian signals, and we can each learn to recognise them for ourselves, you must sensibly take time out from whatever you are doing and allow your system to restore and normalise itself. You can involve the children in this process and it need not take longer than 10 minutes and with practice can sometimes be achieved in half that time. Make it into a game. Get them altogether and all lay down on the floor. Tell them to wiggle their toes then keep them still, wiggle there fingers then keep them still. Then slowly breathe in and then breathe out and make everything as still as you can. Pretend you are floating and relax. If you have a baby hold them to you as you breathe up and down. This is very calming for baby. All go through the exercise slowly and deliberately for a few minutes twice day and at bedtime. Adapt it, be creative and make it fun and they will all start looking forward to playing this new calming game and you will get your ultradian restorative break. Increase or decrease the time as the situation allows.
Studies have shown that the time taken to restore ourselves by taking an ultradian break a few times a day adequately repays itself in higher productivity, better personal relationships and increased levels of health and wellbeing. To help you along take the Bach Flower Remedy Impatiens 4 x daily. Best of Health |
