Waking up around midnight with a busy, racing mind is a common experience. You fall asleep just fine, but a few hours later your eyes open and your thoughts are moving fast. It can feel frustrating and confusing. Two alternative healing systems offer interesting perspectives on why this happens. Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, views the body through an energetic clock. Between 11 pm and 3 am the Gallbladder and Liver meridians are most active. These systems are connected to decision making, planning, emotional flow, and stored frustration. If Liver Qi becomes stagnant, meaning energy is not moving smoothly, it can rise upward and disturb the mind. This may show up as restlessness, vivid dreams, irritability, or racing thoughts. In this model, the issue is not that something is wrong with you. It is that energy needs better movement. TCM would suggest supporting the Liver during the day with gentle movement, stretching, walking outside, and expressing emotions instead of suppressing them. Reducing alcohol, heavy late meals, and overstimulation at night is also recommended. The goal is smoother flow so the mind can settle naturally. German New Medicine, developed by Ryke Geerd Hamer, offers a different framework. It proposes that symptoms are linked to unresolved biological conflicts. Waking in the middle of the night with racing thoughts would be seen as a conflict active state. The mind is attempting to resolve an ongoing stressor. This might relate to relationship insecurity, self worth concerns, territorial stress, or unexpressed frustration. In this view, the solution is not about calming the symptom. It is about identifying and resolving the underlying conflict. When the perceived threat decreases or the situation is emotionally processed, the nervous system can shift into a healing phase and sleep improves. Both systems share a common theme. Midnight waking is not random. It often reflects stress that has not fully resolved. Whether described as stagnant energy or active conflict, the message is similar. Something within you needs attention during the day so that your body can rest at night.

Don't. Don't talk to her about her body at all, except when you are teaching her how it functions and how to care for it. Fight the urge to comment if her weight changes. Say nothing if she gets smaller. Say nothing if she gets bigger. Even if you think she looks incredible, keep that thought to yourself. Instead, try words that reflect strength, well-being, or joy. You might say, “You look really healthy.”Or, “You seem strong lately.”Or, “I can see how happy you are. You have such a glow.” Better yet, notice things that have nothing to do with appearance at all. Praise her curiosity, her courage, her kindness, or her effort. Be mindful of how you talk about other women, too. Do not make comments about their bodies, positive or negative. Let your daughter grow up without hearing women evaluated by how they look. Teach her to be gentle with others and just as gentle with herself. Never criticize your own body in front of her. Do not complain about what you hate or announce the latest diet you are trying. Eat nourishing food. Cook meals that support health. But do not label foods as good or bad or talk about cutting things out. When food becomes moralized, shame follows, and shame never leads to confidence or peace. Encourage her to move because it feels good. Suggest running when stress builds. Invite her to hike because being high above the world can quiet the mind. Let her try activities that challenge her, even scare her a little. Fear can be a teacher. Support her involvement in sports she truly loves. Athletics can build leadership, resilience, and self-trust. Help her understand that collaboration and teamwork matter at every stage of life. Never force her into a sport that does not light her up. Show her that women are capable. Lift heavy things. Fix what needs fixing. Let her see independence modeled, not announced. Teach her how to prepare vegetables and how to make a rich, indulgent dessert. Let her know nourishment and pleasure can coexist. Share family recipes. Share your love of nature. Share traditions that make her feel rooted.