You and Circadian Rhythms

Your circadian rhythms control many bodily functions. You are probably most aware of how they affect your sleep cycle and energy levels. You actually have circadian rhythm genes that produce your biological timekeeper. Light has the biggest impact on your rhythms, but things like temperature and exercise play a role too. Here are some things to know about you and circadian rhythms - your 24 hour internal clock.

Weight Management

Your internal clock may help you to better manage your weight. Even if you eat the same amount of calories, eating a big breakfast, medium lunch, and small dinner may help you maintain a healthy weight. Research has also shown that the amount of fat in your meals may not be as great a factor as the size and timing of your meals. This is because your bioogical clock plays a role in releasing hormones that make you feel hungry and in regulating cholesterol and blood sugar.

Body Temperature and Metabolism

Your body temperature is controlled by your cirdadian rhythms. It is lower when you sleep and higher when you are awake. This is because your metabolism, that produces heat, is slower at night and higher during your awake times.

Sleep

Your sleep and awake cycles is the most clear example of your circadian rhythms in action. If you are like most people, you get sleepy when it gets dark and are ready to get up when it's light. This is because your body produces the hormone melatonin as it gets dark. Melatonin helps you fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. A good night's sleep is critical to your well being. If you are having problems feeling sleepy, dim the lights about 2 hours before you want to go to bed.

Exercise

Physical activity during the day will help your body stay in alignment with your normal sleep awake cycle. Getting some exercise is an important part of maintaining your health. Exercise can be taking a walk, gardening, cleaning house, or going to the gym. Exercising at night is not generally recommended because your body has to work harder to generate and use all that energy. In addition, your body goes into rest and recovery mode during the evening, which will be delayed if you exercise then.

Chinese Organ Body Clock

Traditional Chinese medicine uses the organ body clock to help determine the emotion and organs affected in each two hour window of a 24 hour cycle. It is based on how your energy moves through your body during a 24 hour cycle. During the day, energy flows to the organs needed for daily activity such as the lungs, heart, and intestines. By mid-afternoon, energy starts to move inward so that the the body can heal and cleanse. You can use the organ body clock to support the organs that are active in each 2 hour window. Or if you notice you aren't sleeping or are not feeling well the same time everyday, you can look to see what orgran or emotion, may be asking for support.

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