Sleeping during the day and staying awake at night is not just a bad habit, but a factor that profoundly disrupts the balance of yin and yang and the functions of the internal organs according to traditional medicine.
According to Dr. Kieu Xuan Thy, a specialist at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3, staying up late seems to have become a common habit in today's society. Many people go to bed late, even staying up almost all night and compensating by sleeping during the day. Initially, the body may not show obvious signs of disorder, but over time, prolonged fatigue, reduced concentration, sleep disorders, and overall health decline gradually appear. Especially during the end of the year, busy work schedules and increased workloads significantly impact sleep.
Early identification and timely adjustments not only help improve sleep, but are also crucial steps in protecting long-term health in today's fast-paced lifestyle.
Sleep in relation to yin and yang
Traditional medicine views the human body as a unified whole, operating according to the laws of nature. Daytime belongs to yang, nighttime to yin. When night falls, yang energy is withdrawn, yin energy is increased, and the body enters a state of stillness to store and recover.
Nighttime sleep is a necessary physiological condition for yang energy to return to yin, and for yin blood to be nourished.
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"Nighttime sleep is therefore a necessary physiological condition for yang energy to return to yin, for yin blood to be nourished, for qi and blood to be harmonized, and for the mind to be calm. When people are awake at night and sleep during the day, this order is disrupted. Yang energy is not stored properly, and yin blood is not adequately nourished. If this situation persists, it will lead to yang not returning to yin, and yin not storing yang, weakening the body's self-regulation ability, thereby giving rise to many chronic disorders," Dr. Xuan Thy explained.
The impact of daytime sleep-night waking habits on internal organs.
The sleep-wake cycle is closely related to the heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys. When this rhythm is disrupted, the functions of these organs are affected in turn through specific mechanisms.
Impact on the mind: The mind is the organ that governs the spirit, directly related to consciousness, mental state, and sleep. When a person sleeps at the right time at night, the mind is calm, blood circulation is regulated, and the spirit has a place to rest. Prolonged late-night sleep prevents the body from entering the necessary state of tranquility, gradually depleting the heart's energy and depleting the spirit's nourishment. Clinically, patients often experience palpitations, anxiety, mood swings, difficulty falling asleep or shallow sleep, and frequent nightmares. These are manifestations of insufficient heart energy and mental unease, commonly seen in people with a habit of prolonged late-night sleep.
Impact on the liver : Nighttime sleep plays a crucial role in ensuring the liver's blood-storing function. Prolonged late-night sleep prevents the body from entering a state of tranquility, and blood does not return to the liver adequately. Clinically, patients often become irritable, easily annoyed, sigh frequently, experience chest tightness, accompanied by dizziness, eye strain, and restless sleep.
When sleep patterns are disrupted for an extended period, it can affect the function of various organs.
ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO: AI
Impact on the spleen : Irregular lifestyle and eating habits due to staying up late damage the spleen's energy, causing its digestive function to decline. When the spleen's energy is deficient, the production of qi and blood is poor, leading to prolonged fatigue, poor appetite, bloating, and digestive disorders.
Impact on the kidneys : Nighttime is crucial for preserving and nourishing kidney essence. Prolonged late nights deplete kidney essence, especially kidney yin. When kidney yin is insufficient, yin cannot control yang, internal heat is generated, further disrupting sleep. Patients may experience back and knee pain, tinnitus, dry mouth, a feeling of internal heat, decreased vitality, and persistent fatigue. These are signs that the damage has spread to the root of the body, making recovery slow.
"Maintaining good health plays a crucial role in prevention and recovery. Bedtime should be before 11 PM to align with the balance of Yin and Yang. During the day, moderate exercise is necessary to generate Yang energy, and prolonged sleep-overs should be avoided. In the evening, reduce stimulation, maintain a stable mental state, and help the body transition naturally from an active to a static state," advises Dr. Kieu Xuan Thy, a specialist in internal medicine.