Biorhythm, Hidden Clock of Our Body

Chapter 1. Our body's clock that lives 24 hours a day

Have you experienced 'I'm tired for some reason today' or 'I can concentrate well in the morning, but I'm sleepy in the afternoon?' This is not just a condition problem, but because the biological clock, or bio-rhythm, that is inherent in our bodies is working.

Bio-rhythm is a natural biological phenomenon that regulates physiological and behavioral changes in our bodies every day, month, or year. The most important of them is the **Circadian Rhythm**, which moves in a 24-hour cycle. This rhythm is deeply involved throughout our daily lives, from waking up, eating, and going to bed. It's like our body's secretary, who works 24/7.

So, who controls the clock? It is a small brain part called the **Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN)** located deep in our brain. This part receives light from outside and controls our body's clock. When I see sunlight in the morning, the SCN recognizes 'It's morning!' and wakes up my body, and when the light disappears at night, it signals 'It's time to go to bed'.

Chapter 2. the secret of the biological clock that science reveals

Our body's biorhythm is not just controlling drowsiness or appetite. Scientists are finding out how important this rhythm plays to our health. It is **'Clock Genes'** that plays a key role.

These genes repeat activation and inactivation every 24 hours, regulating various physiological processes in our body. The representative clock genes **'PER'** and **'CRY'** are active in protein production at night, inducing sleep, and gradually decreasing in the morning to wake up the body.

These genes and the SCN of the hypothalamus act as the 'master clock' of our body, and regulate almost all biological functions, including blood pressure, body temperature, and hormone secretion. For example, the stress hormone cortisol is produced the most in the morning to activate the body, and the sleep hormone melatonin is produced the most at night to induce sleep. All this is thanks to the operation of the elaborate clock genes.

Like this, biorhythm is like the 'timeline' of our body, so if this rhythm is broken, it can cause a variety of health problems. Research has shown that it can affect not only sleep disorders, but also decreased immunity, cardiovascular disease, and even increased cancer rates.

Chapter 3. Biorhythmic Disturbance and Its Seriousness in Modern People

Modern society is full of factors that disturb the bio-rhythm. The blue light on smartphones and computers that are on until late at night stimulates the SCN and makes you mistake it for 'morning' even at night. This inhibits melatonin secretion, deteriorates sleep quality, and can lead to insomnia.

Night shifts and **Frequent jet lag** are also major causes of severe shaking of the bio-rhythm. The body's clock remains the same, but the time of the external environment changes, causing confusion. This "social jet lag" can also be commonly experienced in life patterns of sleeping late on weekends and waking up early on weekdays.

If the biorhythm is disturbed in the long term, it goes beyond just tiredness. The incidence of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes increases, and the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and heart disease increases. Also, constant sleep deprivation and stress can lead to mental health problems such as depression.

Recently, research results showing that disturbances in biorhythm are also associated with cancer are attracting attention. For example, statistics that show higher rates of breast and prostate cancer in people working night shifts support this connection. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also defined night shifts as "potential carcinogens."

Chapter 4. Scientific Solutions for Healthy Biorhythm Fortunately, there are scientific ways to restore broken biorhythm and improve health.

4-1. Regular Sleeping Habits: It is most important to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Even on weekends, we need to wake up around the same time as weekdays to reduce "social parallax." Our body's clock loves regular patterns the most.

4-2. Sunlight exposure: Being exposed to sunlight for more than 10 minutes as soon as you wake up in the morning is the most effective way to activate SCN. Light helps to wake up the body by inhibiting melatonin secretion and promoting cortisol secretion. This creates a virtuous cycle that makes you sleep better at night.

4-3. Blue Light Blocking: Refrain from using smartphones, TVs, and computers at night. If you have to use it inevitably, it is recommended to use blue light blocking mode or wear exclusive glasses.

4-4. Controlling Melatonin: Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is secreted more actively in the dark. So, you should darken your room from two hours before you go to bed, and close the curtains while you sleep to prevent any light from leaking in.

4-5. Adjusting Meal Time: Meal times also affect biological rhythms. The habit of eating late at night, especially, can disturb the digestive system's biological clock, which can disturb your sleep. It is recommended that you finish your dinner about three hours before bedtime.

Our body's biorhythm is an important indicator of health that should not be ignored. Even a small change of habit can readjust this clock and bring back a healthier and more vibrant life. From now on, listen to the signals from your body.