Over evolutionary history, the suprachiasmatic nuclei has become very good at recalibrating our daily cycle based on the 24 hours of each day, and while some people have a cycle that is slightly longer, and others a cycle that is slightly shorter, we are basically preprogrammed to operate within a 24-hour day. Not only that, it also guides our heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure, among other key aspects that can affect how tired or active we happen to be. This tiny bundle of nerves is the ticking clock that guides our sleeping and wakefulness. This Circadian clock is located in the hypothalamus, more specifically, in an important bundle of nerves called the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN).Īlthough the SCN only possesses about 20-25,000 neurons (nothing in comparison to the rest of the brain), it has key connections to other parts of the brain that regulate our day and night schedule. However, this Circadian rhythm is reactive to certain external cues, the primary one being daylight. You also might know this by different names, such as internal clock, biological clock, Circadian oscillator, etc. In fact, we exist within a number of rhythms and patterns that we collectively call our Circadian rhythm. Based on our energy expenditures, nutrient intake, hormonal fluctuations and habits, we do exist on something of a schedule. Based on the fact that we are diurnal animals – primarily active during the daytime – we know that something in our genetic makeup and evolutionary history has made our bodies “aware” of the passage of time. You may not like being classified as such, but the fact remains… human beings are creatures of habit. However, have you ever experienced the strange phenomenon of waking up only moments before your alarm clock? Or even if you aren’t an alarm clock owner, do you notice that your body tends to naturally wake up at the same time? Why – and more importantly, how – does that happen?
Whether it is taking care of your newborn baby, making it to your 9am lecture, or getting on the road to beat the commuter traffic, waking up and starting the day is pretty important.
While being y0ung, free and spontaneous has a certain allure to it, most people eventually find themselves in a situation where they have to set an alarm clock to ensure their life doesn’t get thrown into chaos.
Our body’s Circadian rhythms form a basic “schedule” for our bodies, causing us to wake up at roughly the same time each day, provided that you live a relatively routine life. These rhythms form a basic “schedule” for our bodies, causing us to wake up at roughly the same time each day, provided that you live a relatively routine life.
The reason we wake up at the same time every morning is because of our body’s Circadian rhythms.
If you're thinking of trying to wake up to natural light but wondering how to let light into your home at the right time, allow to show you how to schedule your blinds for opening and closing, like your very own natural alarm clock. Although indoor lighting can help you with the quality of your sleep/wake cycle, the effects are minimal in comparison to natural light. Studies show that sunlight is much better for training your brain than artificial lighting. Lying down when it is dark will remind your brain that light is associated with being awake and darkness means it is time to sleep. By programming your brain to recognize the signs of sleep and wake time, you can obtain a healthy sleeping pattern. Your brain will remember that association the more you practice it. If you wake up to sunlight, your brain will start to associate light with waking up. Morning light tells your brain that it is daytime.
Because of the sleep/wake cycle, waking up to sunlight in the morning can also help you fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Waking up to sunlight is a good way to ensure that you will have energy throughout the day. "You'l feel most alert if you wake up without an electronic aid," says Dautovich.
That's why it often feels much easier to get yourself out of bed and ready for the day when your home is well-lit.ĭautovich also mentions that waking up without an alarm is the best way to get the full rest your body and mind need to be active and happy. "Your body's internal clock is sensitive to light and darkness," says Natalie Dautovich, environmental scholar for the National Sleep Foundation ( Huffington Post). Studies show that waking up to natural light can boost your mood instantly.