We often hear the TCM saying, "Do not indulge in sex at the third watch, do not linger over food at the first watch, and do not stir up anger at the fifth watch." Why exactly is this? Today, I will explain it to you in detail.

First, let's talk about "not indulging in sex at the third watch." The third watch refers to the period between 11 PM and 1 AM. In TCM, this is the time when the human body must enter deep sleep; Yang energy needs to be converged and stored, and Qi and blood must settle down. The body is dominated by Yin, making this a crucial time for physical repair, the cultivation of Yang energy, and the nourishment of Yin. It is much like charging a mobile phone at night; the body needs to "recharge" to restore its energy during this time. If you do not rest and instead engage in frequent sexual activity, the storage and emergence of kidney essence and Yang energy will be disrupted. When you wake up the next morning, you will likely feel fatigued and listless—just like a phone that hasn't been fully charged and doesn't function smoothly.

Next, let's talk about "not lingering over food during the first watch." The first watch refers to the period from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. During this time, you must not overindulge in food. Why? Because eating at this hour increases the burden on the spleen and stomach, the "middle burner" of the body. The spleen and stomach act like the body's "processing plant," converting the food we eat into Qi and blood. If you eat too late or too much at night, the spleen and stomach won't have enough time to transport and transform the food, causing it to accumulate in the body and easily generate phlegm-dampness. Furthermore, as the saying goes, "an uneasy stomach leads to restless sleep." If you eat inappropriately at night, you won't sleep soundly. It’s like a machine running at overload all night; problems are bound to arise the next day.

Finally, let's discuss "not stirring up anger during the fifth watch." The fifth watch is between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM. This is when the body slowly awakens and Yang Qi begins to rise. If you lose your temper or get angry at this time, it’s like throwing a large stone into a calm body of water—it disrupts the body's tranquility. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, getting angry in the morning severely disturbs the circulation of Qi and blood, leading to Liver Qi stagnation. The liver governs dredging and discharging; when Liver Qi is stagnant, the entire body's Qi mechanism is affected. People who frequently lose their tempers in the early morning often feel miserable all day and are prone to discomforts like headaches and chest tightness. It’s as if the machine's air lines are clogged, making its operation sluggish.

Therefore, everyone should remember: "Do not indulge in lust during the third watch, do not linger over food during the first watch, and do not stir up anger during the fifth watch." These are essential tips for health preservation.