Do You Know Your Personal Energy Cycles?

Source: Jill Wellington 1977/Pixabay

Cycles of energy are all around us and within us. In nature’s seasonal cycles, apple trees blossom in springtime and bear fruit in late summer. In autumn, their leaves fall to the ground. Slowly disintegrating, the fallen leaves enrich the soil, bringing new energy to the trees in spring.

According to the ancient wisdom of the Tao Te Ching, life is a process of alternating cycles, yin and yang, constantly moving, changing, and growing as energy circulates through all creation. On an individual level, each of us has our daily energy cycles or circadian rhythms. We have peak periods during the day when our energy flows most strongly. This is our prime time. Then, during our lag time, our energies diminish (Dreher, 2000/2022).

Our circadian rhythms originate within a part of our brains that maintains not only our sleep/wake cycle but our body temperature, blood pressure, performance level, and hormonal levels of melatonin and cortisol as well (Hofstra & de Weerd, 2008).

Going against our personal energy cycles can cause physical and emotional imbalance. This can occur with jet lag and late shift work schedules (Zee, Attarian, & Videnovic, 2013). Disturbances of circadian rhythms have been associated with depression, the inability to think clearly, and increased risk for immune system, cardiac, and metabolic problems (Germain & Kupfer, 2008; Wulff, Gatti, Wettstein, & Foster, 2010).

Honoring our daily cycles can not only strengthen our health but also help us live more creatively. Years ago, my friend Bill, a wise physics professor, taught me an important lesson. Optimistic and productive, he scheduled his day around his circadian rhythms. He did his research and teaching during his morning prime time and routine work like opening the mail in his lag time, 3:00 in the afternoon. I’ve followed his example over the years, realizing that these energy cycles are a vital personal resource (Dreher, 2000/2022).

Swedish researchers have designed an official questionnaire to identify our circadian rhythms (Horne & Östberg, 1976), but you can begin recognizing yours by asking yourself these questions:

• When is my best time of the day? When is my prime time when my creative energies are the highest?
• What time of day do my energies decrease?
• Can I track my daily energy highs and lows?
• How can I honor my energy cycles in my daily schedule?

With this new insight to inform your choices, you can adjust your schedule to live in greater harmony with your personal circadian rhythms.

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This post is for informational purposes and should not substitute for psychotherapy with a qualified professional.