Circadian Rhythms, Or Why you sleep the hours you do
Humans must sleep. Sleep allows the body to rejuvenate, healing and growth to take place, repair to cellular injuries- like bruises- occurs during sleep, and the brain starts filing the bits and pieces of new material into logical storage during the sleep cycle.
Our bodies follow the spin of the earth. We organize our sleep to coincide with the roughly 24 hour day. There are challenges in the day that may lead to a disturbance of our normal sleep.
Science Daily has a very nice piece with some follow-up issues linked on the page here: sciencedaily.com/articles/c/circadian_rhythm.htm
The “Changing our Clocks” article may be helpful, if over the summer, you have become a late sleeper. Changing back to the early morning wake-up call is not something you can do overnight.
In fact, having a normal sleep pattern is best for overall health. That means, even on the weekend, you will keep your body in tip-top shape, give your brain what it requires to handle the growth and learning you do through the week, and support the changes your body is going through in puberty. Between ages 11 and 25, the body changes from child to adult. There are many effects that can disturb your sleep cycle if you become stressed. Diet is one way to de-stress and cope with these changes.
Exercise regularly- choose a form that works for you! We are designed to DO, our bones require stress to build strength, and the brain uses the rush of endorphins to actively problem-solve. Keep pencil and paper handy for those brainstorms that will happen, so you don’t lose the thought!
Life is full of unexpected events. You will have to adapt as best you can. However, other events are planned—and for those, you can prepare yourself to get “off track” by either napping before a big event, keeping yourself hydrated [drink your normal water measure, and avoid caffeine, or other ‘stimulating’ beverages; Red Bull, Monster, Mountain Dew; and substitute with juice or water. Plan for a big, sleep disrupting event—Christmas celebrations, family reunions, Birthday celebrations, car trips, long flights, alter the pattern of your normal sleep. Plan for the recovery period—where your body adjusts to the new daylight schedule, by getting yourself into the sunlight. The brain will make the adjustments, but you may still feel a bit ‘off’ until the adjustment is made.
