ANCSLEEP BLOG

Sleep Drive and the Circadian Rhythm

Posted by Darian Dozier on Dec 27, 2023 7:53:00 PM

Have you ever noticed that there are certain parts of the day where you are feeling extremely alert, and then there are other parts of the day where you can barely keep your eyes open? This is because of two body systems: sleep/wake homeostasis and your circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm serves as your internal body clock and tells your body when it is night and day. These two systems can control your sleep drive, or your body's need to sleep at any given time. Continue reading to learn more about your sleep drive and how it interacts with your body clock so that way you know how to better manage your sleepiness.

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What is Polyphasic Sleep, and is it Right for You?

Posted by Darian Dozier on May 3, 2023 11:32:00 AM

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.  

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How a Later Weekday Bedtime can Increase Risk for a Heart Attack

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jan 10, 2022 10:47:00 AM

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. 

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Overview of Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Posted by Tyler Britton on Sep 5, 2021 2:30:00 PM

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.

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What are Circadian Rhythm Disorders?

Posted by Tyler Britton on Aug 12, 2021 2:14:00 PM

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.

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Circadian Rhythm and Your Natural Sleep-Wake Cycle

Posted by Tyler Britton on Jun 28, 2021 1:44:00 PM

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. 

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Why Some of Us are Night Owls and Morning People

Posted by Tyler Britton on Jun 26, 2021 1:43:00 PM

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.

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Overview of Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Posted by Tyler Britton on Jan 30, 2020 7:50:00 AM

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.

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What are Circadian Rhythm Disorders?

Posted by Tyler Britton on Nov 13, 2019 8:00:00 AM

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:

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.

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Circadian Rhythm and Your Natural Sleep-Wake Cycle

Posted by Tyler Britton on Jun 28, 2019 12:17:35 PM

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.

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