Ayurveda Can Explain Why The Time Of Day Matters For Wound Healing

New research has established that wounds sustained at night heal significantly slower than wounds received during the day. The accelerated daytime wound healing occurred because the skin cells moved more rapidly to repair the wound and there was also more collagen (the main structural protein in skin) deposited around the wound site. The study acknowledged that circadian rhythms regulate almost every cell in the body, and manage many processes such as sleeping, hormone secretion and metabolism in a 24 hour period, but the study heads thought our bodies have evolved to compensate to heal as we are likelier to become wounded during the day when we are typically more busy.

Ayurveda teaches the importance of our body's internal natural clock, also known as circadian rhythm.  When we live in sync with nature's clock, we feel balanced and healthy. In Ayurveda, there are two 12 hour cycles that are each divided into three smaller cycles. Each 4 hour smaller cycle within each 12 hour cycle is governed by the three doshas (vata, pitta & kapha), which are also body types.  Establishing a routine that jives with the basic cycles is a powerful healing tool.

In Ayurveda, night is the time for sleep which gives our bodies and minds a time to regenerate, an essential component for health. Even modern science has found shift workers that work the night shift have poorer health and are at a higher risk for many diseases.

The hypothalamus, a section of the brain that governs many functions such as thirst, hunger, mood, libido and more, is affected by the light received from the eye. Specifically, cells in the retina send information about light to the hypothalamus, which will then regulate the glands and their hormone secretions. Light received at night causes the body system to become active, which is really disrupting the body's sleep process. The surge in activity disturbs the beneficial processes that occur at night during sleep. Further, even if the body becomes 'awake' it is going against the natural sleep system, which will handicap the normal 'awake' state activities.

Wound sustained at night cannot heal as well because they were received at a time when the body would naturally be in a restful, inactive state. Ayurveda and science both agree. The body's natural circadian rhythm can be used in many other areas to promote happiness and well being.

Stay healthy & well,
Lisa