Biological rhythms are the natural cycle of change in our body’s chemicals or functions. It’s like an internal master “clock” that coordinates the other clocks in your body.
The “clock” is located in the brain, right above the nerves where the eyes cross. It’s made up of thousands of nerve cells that help sync your body’s functions and activities.
Humans, have their own biological clocks following the daily circadian rhythm.
There are four biological rhythms:
- circadian rhythms: the 24-hour cycle that includes physiological and behavioral rhythms like the sleep-wake cycle, the body-temperature cycle, and the cycles in which a number of hormones are secreted.(showing rhythmic behavior with a period of 24 hours)
- diurnal rhythms: the circadian rhythm synced with day and night, a flower that opens only in the day.Most birds are diurnal.Humans are diurnal. Hormons, enzymes, rhythms.
- ultradian rhythms: biological rhythms with a shorter period and higher frequency than circadian rhythms and include eye blinking, heartbeats, sleep patterns, breathing, pulse, appetite, digestion, temperature regulation, and some hormonal cycles.
- infradian rhythms: biological rhythms that last more than 24 hours, such as a menstrual cycle, breeding, migration, hibernation, molting and fur or hair growth, and tidal or seasonal rhythms.
The circadian clock plays a physical, mental, and behavioral role that responds to light and dark.
This clock helps regulate functions that include:
- sleep schedule
- appetite
- body temperature
- hormone levels
- alertness
- daily performance
- blood pressure
- reaction times
External factors can influence your biological rhythms. For instance, exposure to sunlight, drugs, and caffeine can affect sleep schedules.
Disorders may develop when natural biological rhythms are disturbed. These disorders include:
- sleep disorders: The body is “wired” to sleep at night. Disruptions in the body’s natural rhythms can lead to affected sleep, including insomnia.
- jet lag: A disruption in circadian rhythms when traveling across time zones or overnight.
- mood disorders: Lack of exposure to sunlight can lead to conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
- shift work disorders: When a person works outside the typical work day it causes changes in typical circadian rhythms.
What are the effects of biological rhythm disorders?
Biological rhythm disorders can affect a person’s health and feelings of well-being. Some of the effects include:
- anxiety
- daytime sleepiness
- depression
- lower performance at work
- being more accident-prone
- lack of mental alertness
- increased risk for diabetes and obesity
It’s important to remember that your biological rhythms are intended to protect you.
They signal when it’s time to rest. And they assist you in the morning and early evening in being your most productive.
You’ll get the most benefit in your day-to-day life when your biological rhythms are in sync.
This ability to prepare for the regular daily fluctuations is crucial for all life forms.
