The Effects of Altering our Circadian Rhythm

The most basic daily rhythm that we live by is the cycle in which our bodies sleep and wake, which is directly related to the cycle of the sun. This circadian rhythm is governed by the body’s internal biological clock. However, this internal clock is mainly related to sleep and wakefulness. Studies show that alterations in the circadian rhythm, even just slightly, also affect our hunger, mental alertness, mood, stress, heart function, and immunity. 

 

It has been observed that traffic accidents and workplace incidents are more frequent when a single hour of sleep is lost. Heart patients are at greater risk for heart attacks in the week following the shift in Daylight Savings. Realizing this correlation has allowed researchers to uncover more important connections between disrupted clocks and chronic health issues.

 

Furthermore, it turns out that the same genes and biological factors that govern the body’s internal clock are also directly involved in how other body systems operate and break down. With such a correlation, however, it is still difficult to determine whether alterations in the biological clock lead to health problems or if it’s the other way around. Despite this vagueness, it is still important to keep the body on a consistent daily cycle as it may be one of the best things you could do for your overall health. 

 

 

Amy Perez (6)

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/03/your-bodys-internal-clock-and-how-it-affects-your-overall-health/254518/

Comments

  1. Sneha MageshOctober 26, 2022 at 11:49 AM

    Hi! I knew that lack of sleep would lead to an increase in accidents. However, I did not know that incidents are more frequent when only one hour of sleep is lost. I wonder what we could do to help prevent incidents that happen with the internal clock that are uncontrollable like daylight savings?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 2:26 PM

      Hi Sneha! This increase in the rate of incidents during daylight savings is certainly due to the, usually, decrease in amount of sleep individuals are receiving. I believe that one of the best things we could do is possibly educate the public greater on the effects of daylight savings and inform them that loss of sleep can cause serious outcomes. It is important for people to realize the risks that come along with not receiving an adequate amount of sleep.
      Amy Perez

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 26, 2022 at 3:08 PM

    Hi Amy! This is very interesting to read as a stem major because I don't think any of us gets enough sleep. The fact that struck me about your post was how Daylight savings affects risk of heart attacks for heart patients. For jobs that have no choice but require crazy hours of working such as healthcare workers, is there anything they can do to combat the health effects of inconsistent sleep schedules?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 26, 2022 at 3:08 PM

      Sorry, that was (Samantha Bunner)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 2:22 PM

      Hi Samantha! You definitely bring up an interesting, but important question. Considering the hectic schedules of healthcare workers, they are much more likely to feel the harmful effects of losing sleep. In these scenarios, I believe it to be best that they attempt to keep the other aspects of their life in healthy state as it all plays into a part of their sleep schedule. Maintaining a healthy diet, having plenty of exercise, and taking care of their mental health can all aid in combating the health effects of having an inconsistent sleep schedule.
      Amy Perez

      Delete
  3. Owen BradleyOctober 26, 2022 at 5:13 PM

    Hi Amy! Sleep is super important for our physical and mental health. It is a shame so many people sacrifice sleep. People who sleep well are usually healthier and more productive than those who don't. Many people have trouble sleeping and it can really impact their health. How can people improve their sleep schedules if their sleep starts to get worse?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 2:17 PM

      Hi Owen! As someone who is always looking for ways to improve my own sleep schedule, I can assure you that there are a numerous amount of ways to do so. There are multiple methods such as limiting phone/technology use 30 min to an hour before bed, going to bed at a consistent time each day, not eating before bed, and even engaging in exercise throughout the day that can help improve sleep schedules.
      Amy Perez

      Delete
  4. Elizabeth HardyOctober 26, 2022 at 8:19 PM

    It’s very interesting that your circadian rhythm can alter your life so much. One hour of sleep lost equating to car accidents is very shocking, as well as daylight savings time causing heart attacks for some. I’ve heard that we are supposed to go to bed and wake up at the same time each night to keep our circadian rhythm in check, is that true? Sleep schedule is very important to staying healthy, and my mom always warns me to get a good nights sleep while I’m sick or I won’t get better. I have noticed that too, that if I don’t sleep, it takes longer to get well again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 2:03 PM

      Hi Elizabeth! Yes, keeping a consistent sleep schedule will certainly help keep our circadian rhythm in check! As you sleep and wake up at the same time of the day, everyday, you body will begin to adjust to this schedule and you will begin to naturally feel tired and naturally wake up according to these times. And also, your mother is right. Sleeping is one of the periods during the day in which you are replenishing your energy and it helps boost your immune system. This is why it is recommended to receive plenty amount of sleep when your are sick.
      Amy Perez

      Delete
  5. Adyelis M. Colon MartinezOctober 27, 2022 at 8:50 AM

    Hello Amy!

    I was aware of how deteriorating and bad lack of sleep is or can be however, I was not aware to what extent. It was so interesting and surprising to learn that heart patients are at greater risk for heart attacks the week after the shift in daylight savings. This was such an interesting fact to learn about which left me surprised and intrigued. Is there any ways or ideas that you may have to further this research or have you come across ways to do?

    - Adyelis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 2:11 PM

      Hi Adyelis! I also thought that it was really intriguing that such a slight change in schedule can cause such harming affects to people's heart health. If I were to continue researching this topic, I would likely focus on the relationship between poor sleep schedule/lack of sleep on heart health. It is under my presumption that because people are prone to losing sleep during daylight savings, this loss of sleep depletes them of vital rest that may be essential for certain bodily functions to persist efficiently, especially relating to the heart.
      Amy Perez

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Strain-Induced Jamming in a Spirostomum Ambiguum Cell

Spirostomum ambiguum are single-celled organisms that reside on sediment beds of brackish water habitats. These worm-like organisms range in size from 1 to 4 mm and feast on surrounding bacteria. However, there is more to meet the eye regarding this tiny aquatic organism. In a fraction of the time it takes to blink, Spirotomum ambiguum can shrink to more than half its original length. This contraction generates a gravitational force equivalent (g-force - a measure of acceleration) that is 10,000 times greater than that experienced by any other contracting cell. The energy produced is large enough to destroy the internal structures of a cell. However, this single-cell organism manages to dissipate this energy. Manu Prakash and Ray Chang of Stanford University noticed after imaging the insides of Spirostomum ambiguum cells before and after they had undergone a contraction event that their internal structures vacuoles (fluid-filled sacs) appear to entangle in the folds of a membrane-like ...
Read more

Did Corona Virus Feel Much Longer than it Actually Was? It May Have Also Changed Your Personality

 Everyone knows of those big historical events in which each person knows exactly where they were and what they were doing when they got the news. The release of the first iPhone, the announcement of the first African American president, and the national legalization of same-sex marriage are just to name a few. Endless monumental events help shape our society and give us a sense of community. Each is revolutionary in its own ways and vary per person, but some happen to make a more direct impact on all of us. Unfortunately, repeated time and time again these events are typically negative due to a trauma stress response. Coronavirus beginning 2020 is and will always be a unifying factor for every person who can recall the events. Its unique, sudden, and unpredictable nature makes it prominent in our government, healthcare, and local communities. What I’ve come to the realization of is that Coronavirus also had a drastic effect on our life order and even our personalities. In an artic...
Read more

Slimy Skincare: The Effects of Snail Mucin on Skin

If you’ve been on the right side of TikTok for a decent amount of time, you’ve definitely noticed an uptick in the popularity of snail mucin in skincare. The skincare industry never fails in shifting the goalposts for women all over the world. There is always some new fad or brand that is the “must-have” for the week and then vanishes into obscurity. Even worse, some of these fads can end up negatively impacting your skin. I definitely don’t need to remind anyone of the tragedy that was the St. Ives scrub (holy microtears). Usually, trends in beauty and skincare are driven by brands rather than particular ingredients or additives, which makes the popularity of snail mucin even more notable. Are the beauty influencers finally onto something, or is this yet another damaging trend that no one will remember in a month? A study done in May 2022 using hairless mice as a proxy for human skin showed that snail mucin does in fact lessen the effects of aging. In this study, exposure to UV rays w...
Read more