Think of your body like a well-oiled machine that runs on a (biological) clock. Did you know this very body clock runs a little above 24 hours? If you are looking to lead a regulated life and maintain a healthy sleeping pattern, knowledge about the circadian rhythm is essential. 

What is a Circadian Rhythm? 

The Sleep Foundation describes the circadian rhythm as  “24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock, running in the background to carry out essential functions and processes. One of the most important and well-known circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle” 

Healthline states that, “Your circadian rhythm helps control your daily schedule for sleep and wakefulness. This rhythm is tied to your 24-hour body clock, and most living things have one. Your circadian rhythm is influenced by outside things like light and dark, as well as other factors. Your brain receives signals based on your environment and activates certain hormones, alters your body temperature, and regulates your metabolism to keep you alert or draw you to sleep” 

It is a well-known fact that the Circadian rhythms exists in all living organisms and is the key to nurturing life itself. Take for example, the opening and closing of certain flowers at the right time of the day to let bees pollinate – that is the circadian rhythm at work! 

Effects of the Circadian Rhythm on an adult human body 

A fully functional adult faces body tiredness between 2 AM to 4 AM and between 1 PM to 3 PM in the evening. A consistent circadian rhythm is achieved by healthy, ritualistic habits. Most adults are able to achieve the right sleep-wake cycle by practicing sleep meditation and keeping a well-practiced sleep hygiene. The most prominent circadian rhythm is the sleep-wake cycle and each individual has their own individual pattern when it comes to ascertaining one’s circadian rhythm! 

The Sleep Foundation opines the very fact that, “when people talk about circadian rhythm, it’s most often in the context of sleep. The sleep-wake cycle is one of the most clear and critical examples of the importance of circadian rhythms.

During the day, light exposure causes the master clock to send signals that generate alertness8 and help keep us awake and active. As night falls, the master clock initiates the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep, and then keeps transmitting signals that help us stay asleep through the night”

What leads to a disruption in the Circadian Rhythm? 

Various sleep analysts have observed in recent times that the circadian rhythm just does not affect our sleep-wake cycle but also metabolism and blood sugar levels. Certain internal biological disorders have the power to disrupt an individual’s circadian rhythm. Some of the most common disorders that affect the circadian rhythm are : 

• Advanced  Sleep Phase Disorder, wherein an individual feels tired, sleeps early in the evening and is awake and active at the crack of dawn. This disruptive disorder is rare and affects only 1% of the middle aged population. 
• In Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder, an individual sleeps quite late in the night and wakes up later in the day. This disruption is seen amongst 16% of teenagers mainly. 

Effects of an out-of-whack Circadian Rhythm

Lifestyle choices and sleeping patterns tend to push an individual’s circadian rhythm out of sync. A disrupted circadian rhythm can greatly affect the quality of life. A strained sleep-wake cycle can cause serious sleeping disorders. If the body does not receive the signal to sleep right on time, then it becomes difficult to fall asleep at the right time. 

It has also been discovered that a disrupted circadian rhythm is one of the leading causes of obstructive sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder that paves the way for radical mental and physical complications. 

All in all, a disrupted circadian rhythm affects our sleeping patterns the most. It is of utmost importance to maintain the right sleep-wake balance in order to keep our bodily functions at pace and at an optimum level.