BIORHYTHMS

I remember writing a biorhythms program into a Sinclair ZX81...

The Skeptic's Dictionary says: "Biorhythms is a pseudoscientific belief that claims our daily lives are significantly affected by rhythmic cycles overlooked by scientists who study biological rhythms."

I suspect it might be just as useful to read your horoscope in the newspaper or magazine of your choice, Mariana.

I agree with you jane and I do not think you have done yourself any favours by delving into this Biorythms business, only created more stress, which is a pity. Try being kind to yourself, we are not all perfect, and often get angry and say things we do not mean, particularly if we are unhappy.

Maybe he deserved the things you said * Mariana*, in which case it probably was good to get them off your chest!

I think the subtext here is that you are going through a really tough time. Have you anyone to talk to?

In the meantime here are some virtual to cheer you up a bit x

You are right Anya, things have been very difficult for me, made worse by the fact that I have no family to talk to. My friends just do not understand.
I have been referred to a counsellor by my doctor and have the first seesion tomorrow morning. Hoping for a breakthrough but not straightaway.

Ad yes, he did deserve the harsh words I said to him, but unfortunately he had a brain operation some years ago, so does not always think clearly.

I do occasionally look at my horoscopes, and sometimes they are true, sometimes not.

I just started looking at my biorhythms out of interest, but when I saw how accurate they were, I was truly amazed.

I am just trying to find a way of sorting my head out, i have been all over the place with noone to advise, help, or criticise me. !!

I hope the counselling goes well Mariana

It's a shame that your friends don't seem to understand as you do need friends at times like this, especially if you have no family.

Thanks Anya---you are right. that is why I am finding things so difficult.

mariana

Ok, so lets take the "emotional" biorhythm for example, which is supposed to run on a 28 day cycle. A 50 year old will have been through about 652 cycles since birth, but the difference between being at the highest point on the cycle and the lowest point is just half a cycle: 14 days. So in order to be able to predict whether someone is at the highest or lowest point on the cycle by the time they're 50 you would need to be able to define the duration of their cycle with an accuracy of significantly better than 0.5 in 652, or 0.08%.

Is anyone seriously going to try and persuade me that a naturally occurring 28 day rhythm varies by no more than a few minutes between one individual and another? The coefficient of variation for the menstrual cycle is 14% for example.

I am sorry, I do not quite understand the last message. All I am trying to do is get some sort of understanding as to why things are so difficult for me right now, i have no family to talk to, my friends do not understand. I am trying really hard to come to terms with a very painful end to a relationship.
So far, they seem to be reflecting how I feel perfectly.

Taking the 28 day emotional biorhythm again as an example, someone who is 18263 days old (about 50 years) would have gone through 652.25 cycles, and be on an emotional high.

Now imagine that the emotional rhythm actually runs on a cycle which lasts 28.012464 days (28 days and 31 minutes). The same person will now have lived through 652.75 cycles, and therefore be on an emotional low.

So in order to be able to predict whether they're on a high or a low with any accuracy you would have to be sure that the persons actual cycle length didn't vary by more than a few minutes from the figure used to make the calculation.

Do you seriously think it plausible that everyone's rhythm is the same to that degree? The menstrual cycle is another 28 day biorhythm, and that varies from 21 to 35 days.

Well, I guess you are right. I suppose it is just coincidence that my mood is matching the rhythms at this point in time. thanks for the explanation.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22105898

Posted too soon. To know what your own variations are, you would have spend years measuring all the things that are used to make up these biorhythm charts, recording them daily (or more often) and also recording the effect that the different combinations of highs and lows had on your mood.

You would know a great deal more about your inner workings - but I think your recent history has more influence on how you feel.

Those who make up and publish these very generalised explanations of the ups and downs of life are very like the astrologers casting generalised horoscopes. Even the most accurate astrological calculations of the second of someone's birth and the possible movements of the stars has nothing to do with the personality and genetic make-up of their subject, or the motivation and actions of others they come into contact with.

Things are difficult for you right now because you are upset by an emotional relationship breakup. This is normal and natural. Stop worrying about it and just accept it as part of life. It's not nice but you have to learn to cope with it so as to reduce the emotional turmoil you are feeling. You have wisely seen your GP who has referred you to a counsellor who, I hope and believe, will be able to help you come to terms with what has happened. Good luck

As for predictions about your future emotional 'measurements'... Pish.

Your turmoil is because of your breakup, something that has happened in your life.Nothing to do with any inner rhythm. It has made you feel bad. You will work through it and feel better. Both these reactions come from either what someone else has done or what you do to recover. It is now up to you (with your counsellor's help) to put your emotions back together again. You can do it.

thank you so much for your comments. I tend to cling to anything that will make sense of things at the moment. I had the strangest day today full of coincidences. I woke up about 4,00 crying as I often do, found it hard to stop, but when I did, I was having a nightmare, but awake. I was inside a glass box, or room or cupboard, and I was screaming "Let me out, let me out". To calm myself down, I prayed to God to help me and tell me what to do next. Too much else to mention here, but it ended with me bumping totally unexpectedly with my ex in church.We had a little chat over coffee. he is very very confused, not in a good place. I do not know what it all means.

There is good chance that you are suggested by your biorhythm reading. In theories like this it is a matter of rather believing then knowing. And if you believe in something strong enough it just happens. Not everything is possible to explain by figures and plain calculations. Scientists are confused by quantum physics effects which they can't grasp because in many aspects it denies solid foundations set by Newton.
In conclusion, if Biorhythms work for you then you should use it. Even if it's only suggestion, it will help you to plan your busy /resting days which is important to be balanced for good mental and physical health. And if you want understand biorhythms better you should check out this website. You'll find detailed descriptions for each calculation there.
Take care.

mariana, in your last but one post you answered your own question. Q:^All I am trying to do is get some sort of understanding as to why things are so difficult for me right now^

You then replied ^ I have no family to talk to, my friends do not understand. I am trying really hard to come to terms with a very painful end to a relationship.^

This has nothing to do with biorythms. Astrologically I am a Leo, and, in many ways I match the traditional stereotype for someone in that star sign. This doesn't prove that astrology is correct. I only have to look at other members of my family, who couldn't be less like their star sign.

When we are in trouble our own subconscious will quite often cause our dreams in some way to match what we are feeling or events we are going through - and also throw up solutions. Every day of our life is full of coincidences, large and small and it is easy to see cause and effect but there really is.