Manage Your Biological Clock & Reap Its Benefits
The daily routine of all creatures is rhythmic. All their daily activities happen at stipulated times. The rhythm at which the activities of life are moderated is called Circadian Rhythm. The term "circadian", coined by Franz Halberg, comes from the Latin circa, "around", and diem or dies, "day", meaning literally "approximately one day." It means that the activities during the 24 hours of the day should be done at regular times. The science of studying this rhythm in activity periodically (e.g. over a week, month, year, etc.) is called Chronobiology. It is not just humans but all creatures that live according to this biological clock. By transgressing this clock, we invite trouble and give way to many diseases and disorders.
Biological clock is very important and largely influences our daily life. Just like other creatures, man cannot remain untouched by the effect of biological clock. In day to day life, there comes a time during which we feel hungry, sleepy, sad or happy. From a bodily perspective, all actions like maintaining body temperature, thought process, hormonal secretion, etc. happen involuntarily. The moment night sets in, one begins to feel sleepy. Sleep during the night is much deeper and relaxing compared to the nap during the day. If one transgresses his sleeping schedule, then it proves to be troublesome. People who work in night shifts and pilots who fly airplanes during the night suffer from distorted sleep cycle because of light and other external factors.
In Polar Regions, where daytime lasts for 6 months and night for another 6 months, the cycle of creatures living in those regions is adjusted accordingly. The latest research done by University of Tromsø revealed that the biological clock of animals like Ptarmigan, Reindeer etc. living in Polar Regions is controlled by monsoons. Our biological clock is indirectly controlled by Sun and Moon. The time we wake up is linked to the time of sunrise. All creatures begin their day with sunrise. The tender rays of the sun motivate the plants to open up their leaves and they shrink after sunset. Lotus also blooms at sunrise and closes during the night. Sunflower follows the movement of the Sun.
All the details discussed above go to prove that the biological clock of each being is controlled by the solar cycle. Plants obtain their nourishment through the process of photosynthesis that occurs only during the presence of Sun. Mind feels pleasant and enthusiastic during sunny days, whereas it begins to lose its zeal with the onset of evening. Biologists talk of finding the location of this Bioclock. According to them, this clock is located in the Hypothalamus of our brain. This is called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). A trace of melanopsin that is found in this nucleus is responsible for our sleep cycle. If this organ is affected or stops functioning, then we will not be able to sleep during the night and end up sleeping at odd hours.
Biological clock is also related to the regulation of body temperature. This is regulated by Melatonin that is secreted by the Pineal gland. Scientists say that the temperature of the body reaches its minimum 2 hours before sunrise. During the day, the amount of Melatonin in the body decreases. Since it controls our sleep cycle, we tend to sleep less during the day. But, the secretion of Melatonin begins at around 9 in the night and hence we begin to feel sleepy. It is found in highest amount at midnight.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus found in Hypothalamus is called the master clock since it controls all the life activities in our body. Other bio-clocks that assist the master clock are present in various parts of our body — intestines, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen, thymus, skin, etc. The bio-clock present in the intestines controls the hunger cycle. The moment daily routine is disturbed, they fail to function properly. In present times, people from all strata of society are largely living irregular lifestyles resulting in disturbed bioclocks. The first consequence of this lifestyle manifests as insomnia or sleeplessness.
Research and analysis show that disturbance in sleep cycle is related to increased number of road accidents. The number of accidents during the day is much more pronounced than those during the night. Those who sleep well in the night are at their best awareness during the day.
Disturbed biological clock leads to insomnia and bipolar diseases. Bipolar is a mental disease because of which a person undergoes depression during regular intervals. Because of this, a person becomes sad, depressed, angry due to guilty conscience, dejected, tired, and ill-tempered; and suffers from disturbances in sleep and hunger. This disease, which has emerged because of modern lifestyle, is affecting children too.
Just as there is a physical cycle, there are emotional and intellectual cycles too. Physical cycle is of 23 days duration — this controls capabilities, health and co-ordination. Emotional cycle is of 28 days duration — this regulates creativity, emotions, moods and direct understanding. Intellectual cycle is of 33 days — this controls analysis, logic, memory and conversation.
The need of the hour is that we understand the rhythm of our biological clock which controls not only our body and mind but also our intellect. Not only can we resume the rhythm with right food habits, living habits and thinking habits, but we can also elevate and refine our life with each of the cycles. According to seers, the mystic scientists of yore, Brahma Muhurt is the period of transition. By sādhanā and other activities, we can either enhance and make use of that time or waste it owing to our laziness. Biological clock is symbolic of how well we understand the cycles and get ready to welcome the next cycle. With self-restraint and sādhanā we can reap the benefits, or become prone to disease by lack of restraint. Hence, we have to organize our biological clock and enjoy the innumerable benefits that it offers.
"For a revolution is not just a question of pulling a trigger; its purpose is to create a fair, just society." — Nelson Mandela
"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." — Nelson Mandela
"We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." — Nelson Mandela