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4
Understanding Light, Health, and Circadian Rhythms
The human body uses light cues, such as those provided by the sun, to time certain internal functions.
Properly timed rhythms regulate mood, sleep, energy, appetite, and digestion. These daily internal cycles,
called circadian rhythms, sometimes fall out of sync, resulting in an unregulated body clock.
Unfortunately, modern living has dramatically altered nature’s cues. A modern day no longer starts at the
crack of dawn and ends at 8:00 p.m. Workdays are getting longer and many people face shift work sched-
ules. Additionally, the advent of electric lighting allows social gatherings and personal activities to extend
well into the night. These factors have diminished the body’s natural ability to regulate the body clock.
Circadian Rhythm Imbalance
When our circadian rhythm becomes imbalanced, the body produces the wrong hormones, chemicals,
and neurotransmitters at the wrong time of the day. The results range from feelings of sadness to sleep-
lessness to lack of energy. Many people suffer from a loss of energy and mood that can last for a short
period of time to more than a couple of weeks. For many, these feelings come on stronger in the winter
and in darker climates.
Circadian Rhythms
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