Our Natural Clock: Circadian Rhythms
The weather has cooled, daylight savings is over and it is now becoming darker sooner. With all of these changes, it’s clear that autumn is here. The weather has changed and so our body needs to change along with it.
Natural sunlight has a plethora of wonderful benefits.Today we will be looking at how it affects our circadian rhythms and what it means for us in regards to our health.
Circadian rhythms are important and are our own internal body clock, helping to produce hormones to keep us awake and alert, preparing us to eat an incredible, heart warming meal, as well as preparing us for a restful night of sleep. However, with modern technology and all the shortcuts available to us right in the palm of our hand, and the blue light these devices emit, can really upset that rhythm and knock our body out of sync.
There is the common saying that “humans are creatures of habit”. Our circadian rhythms work around a 24 hour window and follow the sun’s rotation, making this statement incredibly true.
As the day progresses and it becomes darker, less light is entering into our eyes which trigger the response and production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the body which encourages sleepiness and helps regulate your sleep.
There are many things we can do to help improve our quality of sleep and avoid interfering with our natural circadian rhythms.
These include:
1. Avoiding electronic devices half an hour before sleep.
2. Maintain a regular sleep and wake cycle.
3. Get outside more during the day.
4. Develop a pre sleep routine.
5. Being more active during day time.
All these steps will help to regulate your sleep, but if your quality of sleep isn’t where you’d like it to be, perhaps a new mattress or pillow may be required.
At BCNC, we work with Regal Sleep to provide quality mattresses and other bed products so our patients improve their sleep. This works hand in hand with our myotherapy and remedial massage therapy to help relieve any muscular tension or stress your body may be experiencing.
