Get to Bed Before the 2nd Wind

Do you get a second wind at night before bedtime? You are tired earlier in the evening, around 8 or 9pm, but by 10pm you are feeling energized again and have difficulty falling asleep until later?

This is quite a common thing. I like to think of this phenomenon as the transition from “regular” daily energy to “reserve” energy. When we get tired earlier, that is signifying the end of the day’s energy capacity. What we should really do is go to sleep then. But if we stay up or push through it, it activates the “reserve” energy that then keeps us wired into the night. This is the same energy that allows us superhuman strength in times of danger and stress, or to heal from illness or injury.

Unfortunately, it’s not an endless supply, and it’s really best to leave this energy store for true emergencies. When this reserve energy is tapped less, we tend to have more energy available to ward off illness and heal injuries more quickly. When this energy reserve is tapped more, we tend to have more flare-ups of issues in the body. Whatever ailment you may struggle with on and off, it will flare more when this reserve is low. Whether that’s back pain, neck pain, skin issues, hot flashes, sleep issues, anxiety, digestive issues, etc.

Given the current situation with COVID19, this is especially important right now. When we go to bed early, not only do we not use any of those precious reserves, we may even add a little to them. Strengthening these reserves allows us to have the energy to fight off any external invaders like coronavirus more easily, with less compromise of the whole system. Sounds like a good thing to me!

With the current coronavirus outbreak happening and shelter-in-place orders everywhere, we have an amazing opportunity to get more sleep…To truly regenerate our bodies so they can be their strongest to both fight off the virus, but to deal with all the stress and fear from our worlds being turned upside down. Think of all the nights of less-than-ideal sleep that you’ve had in your life. And now think of the amazing opportunity to make all that up in a relatively short period of time during this shelter-in-place. We are going to need strong people with fully recharged reserves to put the world back together after this passes.

In today’s modern, busy world, I know how difficult it can be to get to bed early. There is always one more thing to do, one more thing to watch, one more scroll on social media, or one more email to write. In a world of constant stimulation, it can be challenging. And if you are working from home or not working at all during this coronavirus pandemic, it can be tempting to think “I don’t have to get up to go to work tomorrow, why bother going to bed early?” All of this is very seductive, and I fall for it often myself. But I also know that when I DO get to bed early, I feel SO much better the next day. I not only have more energy, I’m in a better MOOD and I just FEEL better. In these trying and stressful times, not only do we need our immune systems at their best, we also need to be our best selves mentally and emotionally. How else are we going to weather a truly global crisis like this?

Most of my patients know how important good sleep is, because I’m constantly reminding them how important it is. It’s the glue that holds us together. If you are having difficulty with sleep, I’m here to help. During the shelter-in-place order, I’m still seeing a limited number of patients in-person, but I am still available. If you don’t want to leave home, I am doing Remote Acutherapy appointments, and herbal medicine consultations and having people pick them up at my office. Take care of yourself during this intense time.