Circadian Rhythms, our 24-hour biological cycles, govern more than our walking and sleeping. They affect when we are born, when we die, and how we pass the days in between. Our body’s Circadian Rhythms are governed by a ‘master clock’ located in a tine region of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Actually, it works more so like a conductor, striking up on section of the body’s orchestra as another quiets down, taking its main cue from light signals in order to stay in sync with the 24-hour day. Our body’s hormones surge and ebb to this maestro’s invisible wand. Even our cells grow faster during certain hours of the day. Here are certain things you probably didn’t know about Circadian Rhythms.
What Happens When Circadian Rhythm is Off?
When the Circadian Rhythm is thrown off, it simply means that the body’s systems don’t function optimally. A disturbed sleep-wake Circadian Rhythm can give rise to serious sleeping problems. Without the proper signaling from the body’s internal clock, a person can struggle to fall asleep, wake up during the night, or be unable to sleep as long as they want into the morning.
In most cases, their total sleep can be reduced, and a disrupted Circadian Rhythm can also mean shallower, fragmented, and lower-quality sleep. Furthermore, Circadian Rhythm disruptions are potential contributors to obstructive sleep apnea. For those who might not know, this is a sleep disorder marked by repeated lapses in breathing.
What Can Disrupt Circadian Rhythms?
You should always remember that disruptions to Circadian Rhythms can occur over the short-or long-term. No wonder experts have been able to identify a number of types of Circadian Rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWD) based on their characteristics and causes.
Some of the most notable ones include jet lag disorder, shift work disorder, advanced sleep phase disorder, and delayed sleep phase disorder, to mention a few. Ensure you understand how each type of Circadian Rhythm disorder works to answer all your burning questions.
Final Thoughts
Even though we don’t have total control over our Circadian Rhythm, there are healthy sleep tips that can be leveraged to try to better entrain our 24-hour sleep cycles. Be sure to seek out sun, follow a consistent sleep schedule, get daily exercise, and avoid caffeine. It is then that you stand a better chance of keeping your health in check without feeling the heat.
