Gaining physical and mental health is not just about providing ourselves with nutrients and exercises to keep us in an optimal state; You also have to know when to do it, respecting our biological clock. That is why in this article we will review the reasons why it is important to take circadian rhythms into account when enhancing our well-being
Circadian rhythms are the biological processes that regulate sleep-wake cycles that dictate the level of activity of the organism, and specifically in the case of humans, of the nervous system. These cycles last approximately 24 hours , following the times of exposure to sunlight. Its importance is such that it is present not only in animals, but even in life forms that do not have anything resembling a brain, such as fungi and plants.
What exactly is the reason for circadian rhythms? The answer lies in the fundamental aspects of living beings; In all of them, sunlight is essential, like water. This means that the same ecosystem gives rise to different ecological niches depending on the position of the sun, and that is why organisms have evolved to adapt their behavior to the time of day.
In humans, circadian rhythms are those of a clearly diurnal animal ; neither nocturnal nor twilight. Our lineage is made up of primates that have evolved to see very well at both short and long distances, and to perceive a range of colors, something unusual among mammals. At night, these qualities are very limited and it is not possible to appreciate colors, so we are more vulnerable in the dark and we are worse at doing practically everything; That is why the best and most optimal thing, at least from the point of view of natural selection, is that we dedicate those hours of lack of light to sleeping and resting well protected. And it makes sense that our body has biologically marked predispositions to follow these types of routines, making us more active when the Sun is high and feeling sleepier and more unmotivated when there is less light.
Why take circadian rhythms into account when taking care of ourselves?
The quality of any person’s life is closely linked to the way they relate to their circadian rhythms. Let’s see why.
1. They can help us avoid work stress
Much of work stress is due to work overload , derived from inefficient use of time. But if we manage our routines well, making the hours of greatest dedication to work coincide with the peak of our body’s activation, we will perform better and consequently our pending tasks will not accumulate.
2. They are a key to falling asleep well
Many people have the problem that it takes them a long time fall asleep once they have gotten into bed with the intention of falling asleep as soon as possible This makes their schedules unstructured (for example, if they have to wake up early to go to work) and also prevents them from enjoying their free time, since the hours they spend lying in the dark are wasted hours.
If we dedicate the hours of greatest activity to physical exercise, instead of cornering those healthy routines in the last moments of the day, we will notWe will make sure that we give our best, that our muscles are exercised to the maximum of your capacity, and we will be more motivated by seeing our progress; In addition, we will avoid sleep problems, since it is inadvisable to make great efforts a few hours before going to sleep.
4. We will avoid digestive problems
In general, it is not advisable to eat foods that are difficult to digest at times when our circadian rhythms are at their least active. If we don’t do it, it will be more difficult for us to rest properly and we will be more exposed to belly pain.
Do you want to have psychological assistance?
If you have problems related to your healthy habits and sleep routines, I invite you to contact me.
I am Tomás Santa Cecilia, a psychologist specialized in the cognitive-behavioral model, and I serve adults and adolescents in person and by video call.
