Cari Coleman's Quite Short Stories Et Cetera Blog: About Biorhythm

Contributor

By Cari Coleman
eHow Contributing Writer

Composed of energy, the body vibrates at various frequencies and is governed by numerous bioelectric cycles.

Miriam Webster Online defines biorhythm as an inborn, rhythmic biological process, function or cycle, including the mechanisms responsible for them.

Biological Rhythm

Biological rhythm and biorhythm aren't synonymous. A biological rhythm is a natural, cyclical process recurring to an organism on a determinable basis in response to stimuli---usually light, temperature or gravity. Chronobiology is the scientific study of these rhythms.

Conversely, biorhythm is an empirically unsubstantiated theory of bioelectrical phasing. Supposedly three important bioelectric cycles exist that when charted can predict optimal and minimal performance/stress days for anyone. Called "critical" or "switch point" days, they are anticipated to determine whether to perform or avoid activities.

The three main cycles are: a twenty-three-day physical cycle determining strength and vitality, a twenty-eight-day emotional cycle determining emotional outlook and empathy level and a thirty-three-day intellectual cycle determining capacity to reason, analyze and create.

A chart is calculated using a birth date, the number of days in a cycle and the number of days since birth (t) as of the "target day" in question.

Cycles oscillate between positive---above baseline---and negative---below baseline---phases. When in the positive range, activities in that arena are supposedly easier. When in the negative range, activities are more difficult. "Critical" days are established when the waveform crosses the zero line on the ascent or decent.

Though not empirically valid, it is a fun form of divination. You can calculate your own chart using a freeware or online calculator like the one at: http://www.facade.com/biorhythm/.