SLEEP SCHEDULE AND PATTERNS

Everything in the universe follows pattens.

Life on earth has a much smaller number of patterns in their biology than the far greater diversity of animals and plants that live on this planet.

For example, virtually all animals that breathe oxygen use this molecule for the same purpose. The mechanism of processing oxygen is also similar throughout different species. that is: Oxygen is taken in from the atmosphere and transported to the cells. The oxygen molecule is split at the cellular level. The energy in the bond that had held the 2 oxygen atoms together is then taken up by the cell. This energy is used to power the process of metabolizing nutrients that have been ingested by the animal. Throughout the widely complex diversity of oxygen breathing creatures that populate the earth, they share in common this common method of requiring and utilizing oxygen.

Our bodily physiology is governed by patterns of function, anatomy, and chemistry. There are healthy patterns of proper exercise, dietary content, and sleep. Establishing and maintaining these healthy patterns increases the likelihood well-being and comfort. There are also unhealthy patterns. An example of this is cigarette smoking. This and other poor lifestyle habits increase the likelihood of morbidity and mortality.

Healthy patterns are most effective when they are stable over time. When varied, they are a cause of stress that can lead to illness. In other words, the body “likes” patterns to remain stable. It resists and reacts negatively to change.

A person’s sleep schedule is a pattern. It is scientifically established fact that altering one’s sleep schedule is associated with increased risk of various types of illness. Even minor changes stress our biology. Adjusting to the one hour change that occurs when we reset the clocks to shift from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time puts a strain on the system. The affect is more pronounced when someone experiences work shift changes by 8 or 12 hours. People with certain jobs, including nurses and some manufacturing jobs, do this with regularity. Taking an airplane flight that passes through several time zones causes adverse effects on the body.

People with jobs that require a shift change – harmful to the body.

Taking a vacation involving multiple time zone changes – harmful to the body.

Adjusting the clock from Standard to Daylight Savings Times – harmful to the body.

When young, we do not notice much in the way of medical problems. This is a general truism about the apparent tolerance of the youthful body. But it is a hidden and insidiously progressive danger. Many of the things that young people do to themselves only manifest later in life.

That’s the way it is.

 Your employer (shift changes) or government policy (daylight savings time cn=hanges) may leave you little choice.

But you do have options in your life.

Many people establish a sleep habit of late to bed and late to rise. The nighttime is their happy time. They are used to getting a “Second wind” in the late evening. They love this.

Then, they may take a vacation wherein the activities are in the morning. They shift their sleep schedule to early rising and early sleeping to take advantage of the opportunities of the vacation. After the vacation, they shift back to the previous sleep schedule. This takes a toll and is harmful to the body.

Many people wake early for their jobs because that is a requirement for work. Then they shift on the weekends and holidays to “sleeping in” and staying awake longer at night to party. This is stressful to the body. It will ultimately contribute to illness.

The effects may be small from each time shift. But they are incremental and add up over time. Just as  the effect of smoking a single cigarette is not noticeable, so one shift change is easily tolerated. It is the cumulative effect of chronic cigarette smoking that leads to disease. Similarly, harmful lifestyle habits take their toll with frequent repetition. Where you have a choice, choose the sleep schedule that will most likely allow you to maintain a consistent timetable.

In some ways, change is good. The health of the body is governed by its rhythms. These rhythms follow patterns. Alterations in the regular and harmonious patterns of life are stressful to the system. Disrupting patterns promote illness.