Natural light & circadian rhythm

Get outside and expose yourself to natural light. A part of your hypothalamus (a portion of your brain) controls your circadian rhythm. That said, outside factors like lightness and darkness can also impact it. When it’s dark at night, your eyes send a signal to the hypothalamus that it’s time to feel tired. Your brain, in turn, sends a signal to your body to release melatonin, which makes your body tired. That’s why your circadian rhythm tends to coincide with the cycle of daytime and nighttime (and why it’s so hard for shift workers to sleep during the day and stay awake at night).

The circadian rhythm is a natural, internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours. It is driven by a combination of external cues, such as sunlight and temperature, and internal biological factors. Sleep is an important part of the circadian rhythm, as it allows the body to rest and repair itself. Disruptions to the circadian rhythm can have negative effects on sleep and overall health.

#sleepefficiency #sleep #light #day #nightlife #fit #fitness #fitnessmotivation #exercise #healthylifestyle #healthcare #ottawa #canada #613

Sources:

The National Sleep Foundation:  https://www.thensf.org/ 
Sleep Foundation:  https://www.sleepfoundation.org/ 
American Academy of Sleep Medicine: https://aasm.org/