Many people wonder what circadian rhythm is all about. And they’re not to blame considering this is a term you’ll constantly come across in the realm of health. In a nutshell, Circadian Rhythms are 24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock, running in the background to carry out important functions and processes.
Among the most vital and well-known Circadian Rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle. Different body system follow Circadian Rhythms that are synchronized with a master clock in the brain. This master clock is directly influenced by environmental cues, especially light, which is why Circadian Rhythms are tied to the cycle of day and night.
When it is perfectly aligned, a Circadian Rhythm can help promote consistent and restorative sleep. Things tend to be different when it’s thrown off considering it can result in immense sleeping disorders, including insomnia. Not to mention, Circadian Rhythm plays a crucial role in diverse aspects of physical and mental health.
So, how does the circadian rhythm operate or work? To give you a tip of the iceberg, circadian Rhythms work by helping ensure the body’s processes are optimized at various points during a 24-hour period.
In fact, they exist in all types of organisms. For example, they help flowers open and close at the right time and keep nocturnal animals from leaving their shelter during the daytime when they would be exposed to more predators.
In humans, Circadian Rhythms are responsible for coordinating mental and physical systems throughout the body. The digestive system produces proteins to match the typical timing of meals, and the endocrine system regulates hormones to suit normal energy expenditure.
When talking about Circadian Rhythms, it is mostly in the context of sleep. The sleep-wake cycle is one of the most clear and crucial examples of the importance of Circadian Rhythms. During the day, light exposure causes the master clock to send signals that generate alertness and help keep us awake and active.
At night, the master clock initiates the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep, and then keeps transmitting signals that helps us stay asleep through the night. In so doing, our Circadian Rhythm aligns our sleep and wakefulness with day and night to create a stable cycle of restorative rest that enables increased daytime activity.
Of course, there is a lot more you need to know on how Circadian Rhythms affect sleep!