History
The biorhythm from antiquity to modern times
Ancient origins
Biorhythmics is a fascinating field that studies the natural, periodic cycles that affect an individual's physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being. Its history is long and complex, with origins that date back to ancient times and have seen steady development and refinement over the centuries.
The notion of biorhythms has profound roots in ancient medicine and philosophy. The idea that the human body and mind are subject to natural cycles that affect well-being was known to the ancient Egyptians. They developed sophisticated calendars and timing systems to track the periodic floods of the Nile River, which they saw as analogous to cyclical patterns in the human body and in nature in general.
The Egyptians were not the only ancient cultures to study cyclic patterns and rhythms. Ancient China also developed the idea of life energy or "qi" circulating through the body and being influenced by cyclical patterns. Traditional Chinese medicine, which evolved from these beliefs, still places great emphasis on understanding and balancing these energy flows.
The ancient Greeks also contributed to the development of the concept of biorhythms. Physicians such as Hippocrates and Galen often spoke about the importance of rhythms and cycles in the human body. They viewed disease as an imbalance in these natural rhythms and considered restoring balance as a central aspect of healing. The philosophy of the Greeks, especially the teachings of Plato and Aristotle, also emphasized the importance of harmony and balance, including the rhythms and cycles of life.
Medieval and Renaissance
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the concepts of biorhythmics continued to be explored, although they were often mixed with mystical and astrological ideas. Medieval physicians, influenced by the teachings of Galen, held to the humoral theory that linked health and temperament to the balance of four "humors": blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. These humors were thought to fluctuate in cyclical patterns, influencing health and illness, mood and behavior.
Astrology also played an important role in the medicine of this time. The movements of celestial bodies were seen as signs that could help understand and predict cyclical patterns in the human body. Although these approaches are now considered pseudoscientific, they were an important part of the development of the concept of biorhythms and helped raise awareness of the importance of cycles and rhythms in the human body.
Age of Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution
With the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, scientists began to critically examine and revise the old theories of biorhythms. This period saw significant advances in biology and medicine, and many of the old ideas about rhythms and cycles in the body were replaced by newer, scientifically based concepts. A major breakthrough came in the 19th century with the work of the German physician Wilhelm Fliess.
Fließ(right) with Freud (left)
The Berlin physician Dr. Wilhelm Fliess (1858-1928) developed at the beginning of the 20th century the period theory named after him. Based on extensive observations and statistical evaluations of healthy and sick people, he was able to determine what he called "two periodic processes with constant intervals of 28 and 23 whole days, respectively".
Today we know these biorhythms as physical or bodily rhythm and emotional or mental rhythm and thus as the two most central biorhythms of the entire doctrine.
Fliess' theories were far ahead of his time, and they generated a mixture of admiration and criticism. Nevertheless, they influenced many other scientists and thinkers, including the famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who worked closely with Fliess and was influenced by his ideas.
Herrmann Swoboda
At the same time as Dr. Fliess, Herrmann Swoboda (1973-1963) also discovered, according to his own statements without knowing about him, both the physical and the mental biorhythms, but published his findings in 1904 only after Fliess. Swoboda is considered the founder of the "period theory" of biorhythms.
In "The Periods" he describes the spontaneous periodic return of thoughts after 18 hours, 23 hours and after 23 days. He devotes an extensive chapter to the work of Fliess, but does not mention the underlying findings from Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams of 1900. He is therefore accused of plagiarism, and of having appropriated Fliess' theory.
In1917 he added the septennial recurrence to his periodic thesis. In the course of the time the course of the periods was developed to a wave curve (sine). Thereby the curve begins with the birth.
The 20th century and modern biorhythmics.
In the 20th century the concept of biorhythms was further elaborated and expanded. The theories of Fliess and Swoboda led to intense discussions and research in the first half of the 20th century. Some researchers, such as the American psychologist Rexford B. Hersey, attempted to measure the effects of biorhythms on work performance and workplace safety. Others, such as the German physician Alfred Teltscher, studied the effects of biorhythms on learning and academic performance.
Hermann Teltscher
In the 30s of the 20th century Prof. Dr. Hermann Teltscher extended the Fließsche period theory by two further rhythms. A 33-day, so-called intelligence rhythm and a 38-day intuitive rhythm.
In the 1950s Hans Genuit developed the mathematical connection of the different basic rhythms for the first time. The success curve can be traced back to him.
Today we know a total of 7 different biorhythms with periods between 23 to 53 days and 6 linked biorhythms derived from them.views.explanation.phasemodel.title=Phasemodel
During this time, chronobiology, an interdisciplinary field of science that studies biological rhythms and cycles, also developed. Researchers in this field studied a variety of biological rhythms, from daily sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythms) to monthly menstrual cycles and the seasonal rhythms of animals and plants. This research helped develop a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of biorhythms and their effects on human well-being.
Biorhythmics became popular in the 1970s and 1980s through the work of Bernard Gittelson, who introduced the concept of biorhythms to a wider audience. Gittelson developed simple methods and tools to calculate and interpret a person's biorhythms, claiming that they could be used to predict and improve performance in sports, business, and other fields.
Today, biorhythmics is a dynamic and diverse field that has a multitude of applications. While some scientists question the accuracy and usefulness of biorhythmics, there are also many who recognize its potential benefits and continue to explore new ways to use and improve it.
With advances in technology and the growing availability of data, biorhythmics has opened up new possibilities for improving health and well-being. Biorhythmics apps and tools such as www.deeprlife.com allow people to track and interpret their own biorhythms, providing valuable insights into their health and well-being.
The history of biorhythms teaches us that our well-being and performance are intimately connected to the natural rhythms and cycles that permeate our bodies and minds. By understanding and respecting these rhythms, we can live healthier, more balanced and fulfilling lives.
In this sense, biorhythmics is not only a science, but also a philosophy - a philosophy that sees life as a complex interplay of rhythms and cycles that vibrate in harmony with each other and with the world around us. It is a philosophy that encourages us to listen to our body's signals, to track our energy and moods, and to make our activities and choices in harmony with our natural biorhythms.
