Nourish the kidneys, soothe the liver, strengthen the spleen, and promote restful sleep.

In traditional Chinese medicine's ancient wellness philosophy, the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang is the fundamental law governing both nature and the human body. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "Yin and Yang are the Way of Heaven and Earth, the guiding principles of all things." Like the alternation of day and night, these two energies constrain and transform each other, maintaining a dynamic balance essential for life. Sleep, as a vital physiological activity, directly reflects this cycle of Yin and Yang.

TCM believes that throughTonify the Kidney, Soothe the Liver, Strengthen the SpleenHarmonize organ functions to restore yin-yang balance, achieving a state of health where sleep and wakefulness follow natural rhythms and body and spirit remain in harmony.

Day-Night Cycles and Sleep Rhythms

TCM views daytime as yang and nighttime as yin, requiring the body to align its yin-yang balance with this natural rhythm. The *Huangdi Neijing: Ling Shu – Kou Wen* states: "When yang enters yin, sleep occurs; when yin enters yang, wakefulness follows." During the day, abundant yang energy keeps people alert and energetic. At night, rising yin energy signals the need for rest, allowing yang to retreat and store within yin. Modern science confirms that the human circadian rhythm is influenced by light exposure: melatonin secretion increases at night to promote sleep, aligning with TCM's concept of "yang entering yin."

Disruption of circadian rhythms can lead to an imbalance of yin and yang, dysfunction of the organs, and issues such as poor sleep and physical and mental fatigue. At this point, throughNourish the Kidney and Tonify Essence(Kidneys store essence and serve as the root of yin and yang)Soothe the liver and regulate qi(The liver governs the free flow of Qi and facilitates the entry of Yang into Yin.)Strengthen the spleen and replenish qi(Spleen is the source of qi and blood production, nourishing the heart spirit), helping to balance yin and yang and restore sleep rhythms.

Adjusting Sleep According to the Four Seasons' Yin and Yang

The Huangdi Neijing: Suwen, "Great Treatise on Regulating the Spirit According to the Four Seasons," emphasizes that seasonal yin-yang changes also affect sleep:Nourish Yang in Spring and Summer: In spring, "go to bed late and rise early"; in summer, "sleep later and wake up earlier" to align with the rising yang energy. It is acceptable to stay up a bit later, but avoid going too late (fall asleep before 23 o'clock) to help soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen.Nourish Yin in Autumn and WinterIn autumn, "go to bed early and rise early"; in winter, "go to bed early and rise late." Go to sleep around 9 PM (Hai hour 21) to conserve kidney essence and Yang energy, preventing the depletion of Yin fluids. Adjusting your schedule with the seasons helps align your body's Yin and Yang with nature, improving sleep quality.

Imbalanced Yin and Yang Leading to Poor Sleep

The waxing and waning of Yin and Yang is the fundamental rhythm of life. Sleep, as the pivot of their transformation, is essential to health. Only by aligning with nature, balancing Yin and Yang, harmonizing the organs, and adopting "Tonify the kidneys, strengthen the foundation, soothe the liver, regulate qi, and nourish the spleen and blood.only by following this method can one achieve the ideal state described in the *Huangdi Neijing*: "when yin and yang are balanced and harmonious, spirit and vitality thrive."

References

• Huangdi Neijing: Suwen · Treatise on the Four Qi and the Regulation of the Spirit
• "Neijing: Lingshu · Kouwen"
• "Healthy Sleep Guide," World Health Organization

Sleep is the foundation of physical health. Sleep issues typically stem from a combination of physiological and psychological factors. Understanding these causes is key to overcoming nighttime restlessness.

Physiological causes:

1. Disrupted sleep schedules disrupt the circadian rhythm
   Staying up late and irregular sleep schedules disrupt the body's circadian rhythm, affecting melatonin secretion and leading to difficulty falling asleep or waking up too early.
2. Interference from diet and lifestyle habits
   Overeating or fasting at dinner: Increases gastrointestinal load or triggers adrenaline release due to low blood sugar, leading to nighttime awakenings.
   Caffeine and Alcohol: Caffeine's effects on sleep can last up to 6 hours, making it difficult to fall asleep if consumed before bed. While alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, it suppresses deep sleep, leading to frequent awakenings and vivid dreams in the second half of the night.
3. Environment and Exogenous Stimuli
   Nighttime Lighting: Research shows that bedroom light at night (such as blue light from phones) suppresses melatonin secretion, increases the risk of insulin resistance, and disrupts sleep quality.
   Noise and temperature discomfort: Environmental noise or extreme temperatures (too cold/too hot) can lead to light sleep and frequent awakenings.
4. Chronic Conditions and Physical Discomfort
   Chronic pain (e.g., arthritis), respiratory conditions (e.g., rhinitis, asthma), and endocrine disorders (e.g., hyperthyroidism) can directly disrupt sleep continuity.

Psychological factors:

5. Stress and Anxiety
   Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels and heightens brain alertness, making it difficult to relax. Anxiety often triggers rumination, leading to trouble falling asleep and frequent awakenings.
6. Mood Disorders
   Depressive disorders are often accompanied by early morning awakening and fragmented sleep; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to nightmares and panic-induced awakenings.
7. Cognitive Bias
   Excessive worry about sleep (e.g., "I must get 8 hours") triggers pre-sleep anxiety, creating a vicious cycle.

References

• Healthy China Initiative
• Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2025
• The American Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
• Clinical Data – Psychological Center