In short, the circadian rhythm is the 24-hour clock cycle that is essential to our body’s functions and processes. It’s our natural sleep/wake cycle that is dictated by the light exposure we get during the day. Our bodies have an internal “clock” that regulates when we feel sleepy or wide awake based on the amount of light that hits our eyes. This clock resets every day by the light exposure we get during the day as it signals alertness. But exactly what is the circadian rhythm and why is it important? Read on to find out.
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Importance of the circadian rhythm
The circadian rhythm is important not only for our sleep, but it helps our bodies to regulate our physical, emotional, and mental health. Getting too little or too much sleep can have a negative impact on our health, so it’s important to keep our circadian rhythm in check.
Being properly aligned to the circadian rhythm can be effective for restorative and consistent sleep. Insomnia can be a serious issue if the circadian rhythm is thrown off course. Other negative effects it can have are on our physical and mental health.
Improving your circadian rhythm
Sleep is vital to restoring our health and sleeping at night is the best way to get quality sleep. Several factors can affect your circadian rhythm, including working night shifts or working shifts with unpredictable hours, having a newborn baby, as well as stress, and more.
There are a few things you can do to help improve your circadian rhythm and get a better night’s sleep:
Regular sleep schedule
The clearest indicator of an out-of-sync circadian rhythm is an irregular sleep schedule. One thing to help improve your circadian rhythm is having a consistent sleep schedule. This means sleeping and waking up at the same time, even on weekends and any days off. By maintaining this consistency, you’ll find that your physical and mental health improves.
Natural light exposure
Getting exposure to natural light during the day will help reset your body’s internal clock and can make it easier to fall asleep at night. This is because you’re telling the body it’s daylight. Spending time outside or near a window can achieve this. If you’re a shift worker with unpredictable hours, making sure you get exposure to daylight is a sure way to improve your circadian rhythm.
Avoid artificial light at night
If you don’t want to disturb your circadian rhythm, avoid artificial light, such as blue light, at night, and try to stay away from screens. This includes TVs, computers, and phones. The blue light from screens can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy. So if you’re looking to wind down for the evening, it’s best to steer clear of electronics and stick to relaxing activities like reading or taking a bath.
Get some exercise
There are plenty of reasons to get some exercise, and one of them is that it can help improve your circadian rhythm. Exercise can make you feel more tired at night, which can help you fall asleep more easily. Just be sure to avoid exercising too close to bedtime, as this can make it harder to fall asleep. So get out there and get moving! Your sleep will thank you for it.
Sleep in a cool, dark room
If you want to get the best night’s sleep possible, make sure your bedroom is as dark and cool as possible. This will help your body relax and drift off to sleep more easily. So, create an environment that’s conducive to sleep and help falling asleep by turning off the lights, closing the curtains, and cranking down the AC.
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Have trouble sleeping regularly?
If you’re looking for a great night’s sleep and need help with what regulates circadian rhythms, SleepHub is the perfect solution. For a sleep hub device that helps you get the restorative sleep you need, contact us today to learn more about how SleepHub can help you sleep better.