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Biorhythm theory says three fixed cycles – physical (23 days), emotional (28 days) and intellectual (33 days) – start at birth and shape how well we perform on a given day. Research has not found that these cycles predict performance, but the idea behind it is useful at work: people do have daily energy patterns, and planning demanding work for your own alert hours helps. For courses on working smarter, see BOTI’s workplace essentials and personal effectiveness courses.
What are Biorhythms?
According to the theory of biorhythms our daily lives are affected by rhythmic biological cycles that influence our abilities in various areas that involve mental, physical and emotional activities. These cycles commence at birth and oscillate in a continual sine wave manner throughout life and involve periods of exactly 23, 28 and 33 days.
Supporters of the theory say each person’s cycles are unique and influence health, mood and how we cope in challenging situations.
The biorhythm cycles
Physical Biorhythm
The physical biorhythm, which runs in 23-day cycles relates to physical strength, durability, stamina, courage, resistance and so forth.
Emotional Biorhythm
The emotional biorhythm runs in 28 day cycles and involves emotional stability, feeling, mood, susceptibility, intuition and creativity.
Intellectual Biorhythm
The intellectual biorhythm runs in 33-day cycles and relates to intellectual activities such as thinking, judging, analysing and concentration.
In short, the theory holds that these cycles affect health, mood, decision-making and reflexes. It is thought that if we understand the interactions of our own cycles, we can plan our activities around the high as well as the low points of these cycles. This ensures that we maximise our potentials around the high points and that we avoid potential pitfalls such as making poor personal or business decisions around the low points.
The history of biorhythms
Biorhythm theory dates from the turn of the 20th century, when Dr Wilhelm Fliess, a German ear, nose and throat specialist, and Hermann Swoboda, a psychologist in Vienna, each proposed regular cycles in human health and mood.
Biorhythms became a popular interest in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s but the phase soon petered out. Yet, recent renewed interest in the topic has given us the opportunity to once again explore how the natural cycles of our bodies can enhance our daily lives.
How to calculate your biorhythms
Online biorhythm calculators work out the three cycles from your date of birth. Treat the charts as a curiosity rather than a planning tool: controlled studies have not found that biorhythm cycles predict performance, accidents or decisions. Your own record of when you feel alert, described below, is a more reliable guide.
How can biorhythms help us at work?
As individuals, we have a pretty good idea of how our internal rhythms play out in our lives. For instance, some people are ‘morning people’ – when they are up, they are up. Morning people, while alert when they first awake usually start to become steadily less functional towards the end of the day. Conversely, others may be ‘night owls’ – these people thrive on ‘later’. They eat later, work later, go out later and literally come alive later. Hence, their productivity levels peak when morning people are ready to call it a day.
Discussing the implications of biorhythms, as individuals and as teams, can be a potent driver of productivity, creativity and increased morale. Hence, taking into account the importance of the body’s natural rhythms can significantly benefit overall performance.
Working hours
Individuals can be more productive and able to perform better if we do away with the one-size-fits-all approach to working hours and embrace the natural rhythms of our own bodies.
How to identify and embrace your rhythms
Ask yourself these questions: At what point during the day do you feel most energetic? When do your energies start to wane? What works best for you when you need a pick-up? Monitor yourself over a period of a few days and take notes. In this way, you will find that a distinct pattern emerges. For instance, you may want to take that walk around the block at 12pm. Or you may feel comfortable going to the gym at 6.30am before you start your work day. The more you embrace the rhythm that makes you feel most productive and creative, the more productive and creative you will be.
A working rhythm that works for everyone
When a team knows each member’s high-energy hours, it can schedule meetings, focused work and handovers so that demanding tasks fall when people are most alert. Agree on core hours for collaboration and leave the rest flexible where the work allows. BOTI’s Essential Time Management Skills (1 day) and Stress Management Training (1 day) courses build the planning and energy habits behind this.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three biorhythm cycles?
Biorhythm theory describes a physical cycle of 23 days, an emotional cycle of 28 days and an intellectual cycle of 33 days, each starting at birth.
Is biorhythm theory scientifically proven?
No. Controlled studies have not found that biorhythm cycles predict performance or behaviour. Daily energy patterns are real, though, and they differ from person to person, so tracking your own alert and tired times is more useful than a biorhythm chart.
How can I use my energy patterns at work?
Note when you feel most alert over a week or two, then schedule demanding tasks such as analysis, writing or difficult conversations for those hours and keep routine work for your low-energy times.
Can a team plan around different energy patterns?
Yes. Teams can agree on core hours for meetings and collaboration and leave the rest of the day flexible, so that morning people and evening people each do focused work when they are most alert.
Plan your working day around your energy with BOTI’s Personal Productivity course. Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. Call BOTI on 011 882 8853 or email [email protected], or request a quote. This course is not accredited. It is delivered as a professional skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.