Circadian Rhythms and Tips to Keep Your Clock Consistent

Try and maintain the same sleep/wake times each day — even on weekends. Your body will feel best when you wake up and head to bed on a regular schedule.

Make sure to get some light in the morning, especially if you’ve had a tough time waking up. This could mean taking a brisk walk outside or even just choosing a sunny window to sit by for your morning coffee.

Avoid bright light in the evening — especially if you have trouble falling asleep. You may want to choose a paper book at night, and to make your bedroom as dark as possible. If you use a screen at night, try turning down the brightness.

Keep your daily schedule as consistent as possible — especially if you’re working from home and don’t have the structure of an office. In addition to maintaining a routine sleep schedule, make sure to eat at regular intervals throughout the day. If possible, avoid large meals at night, as they can disrupt sleep.

Exercise can help keep your body on track, and it doesn’t have to be intense. Something as simple as regular family walks can benefit everyone’s mood and health, including your four-legged members’.

Speaking of pets, have you noticed that they don’t always have the same sleep pattern as humans? That’s because their circadian rhythms are different than ours. So if you find your cat pouncing on your head at 3 a.m., it may be time to banish kitty from the bedroom.