The body has a built-in clock. It is called the circadian rhythm. It follows a 24-hour cycle. This cycle is usually set by light. But, for people who have trouble seeing, temperature might play a bigger role. The brain has a main timekeeper. It is called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. It usually syncs with light. But, when light signals are weak or absent, other cues l...
The journey of pregnancy and the first year after childbirth is a rollercoaster. It brings major changes to a woman's life. These changes can mess with a woman's sleep schedule. This can lead to feelings of sadness or depression. The way a person thinks about time can make a big difference. It can help them handle these changes better. A recent study looked at how sl...
The night sky is no longer dark. Artificial light has taken over. This might seem harmless, but it could have serious effects on our health. One big worry is the link between nighttime light exposure and breast cancer risk. Light at night, especially the blue kind, messes with our bodies' natural clock. This is called the circadian rhythm. When this rhythm is o...
Sleep is a big deal. It's not just about the hours you spend in bed. It's about the quality of those hours. Think of it like a workout for your brain and body. You wouldn't skip leg day, right? So, why skip a good night's sleep? Sleeping well isn't just about feeling rested. It's about being ready for the day ahead. It's about having the energy to tackle wha...
Sleep is not just about resting. It is a vital process that keeps the body running smoothly. This process is controlled by something called circadian rhythms. These rhythms affect many things in the body, including how well organs work and how healthy a person is overall. When sleep is disrupted, it can lead to various problems. These problems can affect both the min...
Jet lag is a common issue for athletes who travel long distances for competitions. This happens when athletes cross multiple time zones, disrupting their body's internal clock. The body's natural rhythm gets out of sync with the new environment, leading to jet lag. This can affect how well athletes perform and how quickly they recover. The time it takes for the body ...
Ever wondered why some workouts feel more effective than others? It turns out, the time of day you exercise and eat can make a big difference. Your body has an internal clock, called the circadian clock, that controls many of its processes. This clock can influence how your muscles respond to exercise and food. Researchers have found that exercising in the l...
Imagine waking up in an intensive care unit, heart problems in tow. You're in for a rough ride, right? Well, a study wanted to see if syncing nurse care with our body's natural clock could make a difference. A bunch of patients in the coronary intensive care unit were given care that worked with their circadian rhythms. That is, the 24-hour cycle that affects ou...
Lynne Peeples, a science journalist, dove 50 feet underground for ten days to investigate how humans adapt without natural light cues. She chose an Arkansas Airbnb that was once a Cold War bunker to explore how factors like meal times and light affect sleep patterns. Peeples made the bunker sunlight-free and hid all time indicators, creating a controlled environment ...
Did you know that your cup of morning joe might be doing more for you than just waking you up? A recent study from Tulane University found that people who drink two to three cups of coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from any cause or from heart disease compared to those who don’t drink coffee at all. Interestingly, the same benefits weren’t seen in peo...