What is the Circadian Rhythm?
Your circadian rhythm is your biological clock. It runs in the background of your brain, managing and regulating 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.
Your sleep-wake cycle dictates when you rise, rest, and rise again. While the ideal circadian rhythm aligns with a 24-hour cycle, not everyone operates on this schedule. Your natural sleep pattern may lean towards 26 hours or even 22 hours, showcasing the unique diversity in how individuals function within the constraints of modern society.
Also, you biological clock may be “shifted” to earlier or later in the day, hence the terms night owl and lark. It’s important to note that research has shown that 40-70% of your biological clock is genetic, meaning that while you may be able to shift your clock, it may be unrealistic to simply adopt a new sleep-wake cycle.