ANCSLEEP BLOG

Modern sleep culture encourages going to sleep, and sleeping throughout the night. This is known as monophasic sleep because there is one time to sleep. 

Some cultures practice biphasic sleep. This consists of sleeping throughout the night with a daily nap in the afternoon. In those countries, there are two times to sleep. 

Polyphasic sleep schedules involve more than two sleeping periods each day. Quick nap breaks could count, with reduced sleeping throughout the night. Babies are examples of populations who follow a polyphasic sleep schedule. They follow this pattern until they are about three months old, and then they learn to sleep throughout the night with about two naps throughout the day. Others who work unusual hours or jobs that require attention at all times but also follow this sleep pattern.

There are some benefits and harms of polyphasic sleeping. Some prefer it, while others do not. Is it right for you? Continue reading to find out.  

As we age, our circadian rhythm changes which can impact what time we need to go to sleep. The older we get, the earlier we are supposed to go to bed for an earlier wake time. This is due to many factors including changing eyesight (which can make us less sensitive to changes in light during the day), changing levels of melatonin, and other brain functions or hormone changes.

Research has supported the link between sleeping and health issues, including cardiovascular health disease. A recent study looked at bedtime and risk for myocardial infarction, or heart attack. Continue reading to find out more about this relationship and the relationship between sleep and heart health in general. 

What is Your Circadian Rhythm?

Your circadian rhythm is your innate biological clock that helps your body function in patterns and rhythms. It regulates your natural sleep schedule, and is closely tied to both melatonin, the sleep hormone, and changes in light.

What is Your Circadian Rhythm?

Your circadian rhythm is your biological sleep clock. It regulates sleep and is closely tied to melatonin, the sleep hormone. Your biological sleep clock exists in a part of your brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. It sits right behind the nerves of your eyes, which is ideal for regulating melatonin in response to changes in light.

What is Your Sleep Wake Cycle

Your circadian rhythm is your biological clock. It runs in the background of your brain and manages and regulates your cycle of sleep and wakefulness, also known as your sleep-wake cycle. 

What is the Circadian Rhythm

Your circadian rhythm is your biological clock. It runs in the background of your brain, managing and regulating your sleep-wake cycle. It’s an important understand how and why your body and brain operate the way they do because can be critical to getting a good night’s rest.

What is Your Circadian Rhythm?

Your circadian rhythm is your innate biological clock that helps your body function in patterns and rhythms. It regulates your natural sleep schedule, and is closely tied to both melatonin, the sleep hormone, and changes in light.

Your biological sleep clock exists in a part of your brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which sits right behind the nerves of your eyes – hence why your clock is sensitive to light.

It is crucial for you to understand your circadian rhythm in order to build healthy sleeping habits.

What is a Circadian Rhythm?

Your circadian rhythm is like the conductor of your body's sleep orchestra. It orchestrates the perfect balance of sleep and wakefulness, with melatonin playing a key role as the sleep hormone. Nestled within the depths of your brain, specifically the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, your biological sleep clock is strategically positioned behind the delicate nerves of your eyes. This prime location allows it to harmonize with the ebb and flow of light, effortlessly regulating melatonin production in response to changes in your external environment.

Thus, circadian rhythm disorders are often in response to your external factors:

• Extreme light conditions
• Extreme dark conditions
• Shift work
• A non-standard sleep schedule that conflicts with your work schedule, such as needing to start work at 7am but getting naturally tired at 2am

Symptoms of circadian rhythm disorders are fairly straightforward: when you want or need to sleep is when you can’t sleep. The result are insomnia symptoms and sleep deprivation.

What is Your Sleep Wake Cycle

Your circadian rhythm is your biological clock. It runs in the background of your brain and manages and regulates your cycle of sleep and wakefulness. It’s also known as your sleep wake cycle.

What is Circadian Rhythm

Your circadian rhythm is your biological clock. It runs in the background of your brain and manages and regulates your cycle of sleep and wakefulness. It’s also known as your sleep wake cycle. It’s an important term to understand when trying to understand how and why your body/brain operates the way it does – understanding which can be critical to getting a good night’s rest.