{"id":1041,"date":"2021-08-30T08:23:43","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T08:23:43","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-01-10T13:01:30","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T13:01:30","slug":"what-is-your-circadian-rhythm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/what-is-your-circadian-rhythm\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Your Circadian Rhythm And Why is it Important?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you aware of how important your circadian rhythm is? All of us have internal clocks<\/a> that we don\u2019t hear tick. These internal clocks help us wake up and function throughout the day. These \u2018natural timing devices\u2019 help regulate your day-to-day life.<\/p>\n

As a part of this internal clock, the 24-hour cycle our body goes through every day is called our circadian rhythm<\/strong>. It runs in the background to carry out all essential functions. One of the most important functions of circadian rhythm is the sleep-wake cycle.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your circadian rhythm is so important that if it malfunctions, you\u2019ll be prone to exhaustion, and at risk for obesity, heart disease, and mental disorders. The circadian rhythm helps us maintain a healthy schedule to function properly. This is why keeping check of our rhythm is paramount for good health. This properly functioning rhythm also translates directly into your ability to work, play, and live life to the fullest.<\/p>\n

All of us have our routines, schedules and ways of doing things. Perhaps you like a good cup of coffee upon waking up or a cup of tea in the evening. Maybe you work out every morning or enjoy reading at bedtime. These types of routines are quite normal for all of us; however, what we don\u2019t often realize is our bodies operate the same.<\/p>\n

Your body follows a certain rhythm that dictates your biological processes. This rhythm lets you anticipate and prepare for regular changes in your environment.<\/p>\n

For example, your body needs to eat, be active, and rest at certain times. How does your body know what needs to be done at what time? It does so with the help of a 24-hour cycle that responds to light and dark. <\/strong>When it\u2019s daytime, your body wakes up and eats at opportune times. When it\u2019s dark, your body gradually enters sleep mode.<\/p>\n

This is taken care of by your circadian rhythm. It\u2019s your body\u2019s way of remembering when it\u2019s naturally time to rise and fall.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When your internal clock malfunctions, due to lifestyle changes or artificial light, it may affect your sleep.<\/p>\n

How Circadian Rhythm Affects Your Sleep<\/h2>\n

The circadian rhythm is connected to a master clock<\/a>, also called the circadian pacemaker. This pacemaker is highly sensitive to light. It\u2019s a part of the hypothalamus and receives direct input from your eyes. Serving as a cue to coordinate the internal clock of the body, it connects your circadian rhythm to day and night.<\/p>\n

When your biological processes are working as they should, you\u2019ll feel changing levels of alertness throughout the day. In the morning and mid-day, you should have more energy. As evening approaches, you should have increased levels of tiredness. You should naturally feel sleepy as you get closer to bedtime, so if you\u2019re not, something is off with your internal clock.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the reason your circadian rhythm is crucial for a good night\u2019s sleep. Any issue or disorder affecting the circadian rhythm can ruin your sleep and throw you off from your body\u2019s natural equilibrium. It can cause sleep deprivation, excessive daytime sleepiness, and several sleep-related disorders. What\u2019s more, sleep is required for proper digestion and cell recovery. When this doesn\u2019t happen, you stand the chance to pick up severe health issues.<\/p>\n

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What Causes Circadian Rhythm Disruption?<\/h2>\n

The use of artificial lights, screens, and the added stress of the pandemic cause more damage to our circadian rhythm than anything else. Sleeping well during the pandemic<\/a> is important due to extra use of technology and social media, work\/school-related stress, and financial strains.<\/p>\n

Plenty of other things can also throw your body\u2019s internal clock off the hook. A few of these include jet lag, an irregular or \u2018odd\u2019 sleep schedule, a change in your sleep pattern, and excessive screen exposure before bedtime.<\/p>\n

A recurring theme you need to spot here is inconsistency. Whenever anything happens that is inconsistent with your normal sleep-wake cycle, it will keep your circadian rhythm off-kilter. The most damaging of these is an improper sleep schedule. Sleeping inconsistently and working odd hours have a big impact on your biological processes. Ideally, you don\u2019t want anything to tamper with your sleep circadian rhythm.<\/p>\n

Maintaining a Healthy Circadian Rhythm<\/h2>\n

A healthy lifestyle is required for a healthy circadian rhythm. Living a healthy lifestyle includes eating properly, working out, limiting caffeine and going to bed at a reasonable hour. If you eat junk all the time, live a sedentary lifestyle, and watch TV until 2:00 AM, you\u2019re going to throw your body off.<\/p>\n

If you want a properly functioning circadian rhythm, take care of these factors:<\/p>\n