circadian rhythm
Internal daily cycle
Circadian rhythm is the roughly 24-hour cycle governing biological processes in living organisms.
Sleep patterns, hormone release, and body temperature follow circadian rhythms, synchronized primarily by light exposure.
Jet lag disrupts your circadian rhythm.
The prefix circa- (about) plus dies (day) reflects the approximate daily cycle.
Active during daylight
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- daylightSun's natural glow
- dawnDay's first glow
- duskDimming after sundown
sunrise · sunset · light exposure · photoreceptor · blue light · light sensitivity · darkness · nightfall
Circadian rhythm regulator
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- pineal glandMelatonin-secreting brain structure
- growth hormonePituitary signal for development
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
leptin · ghrelin · body temperature · core temperature · adrenal glands · prolactin · thyroid hormones
Repeating phases of rest
- wakefulnessState of being conscious
- restCessation of activity
- sleep-wake cycleDaily pattern of rest
- sleep pressureBiological demand for rest
REM cycle · deep sleep · arousal · alertness · drowsiness · napping · night owl · early bird
Rhythmic systems aligning naturally
- oscillatorCyclic signal generator
- periodicityRecurring at regular intervals
- chronotypeInnate daily rhythm preference
- gene expressionDNA to functional product
Post-flight sleep disruption
- shift workLabor in timed blocks
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
- sleep disordersConditions impairing rest
- phase shiftChange in wave timing
night shift · rotating shifts · time zone change · adjustment · fatigue · sleep debt · sleep deprivation · light pollution
Treatment using bright lamps
- chronotherapyTime-optimized medical treatment
- sleep hygieneBehaviors promoting better rest
- light boxBacklit translucent display surface
- sleep aidSubstance promoting drowsiness
sleep schedule · blue light blocking · phototherapy · resynchronization
diurnal
Active during daylight
dusk · sunrise · sunset · light exposure · photoreceptor · blue light · light sensitivity · darkness · nightfall · photoperiod
melatonin
Circadian rhythm regulator
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
- pineal glandMelatonin-secreting brain structure
- growth hormonePituitary signal for development
insulin · leptin · ghrelin · body temperature · core temperature · adrenal glands · prolactin · thyroid hormones
sleep cycle
Repeating phases of rest
- wakefulnessState of being conscious
- restCessation of activity
- sleep-wake cycleDaily pattern of rest
sleep pressure · REM cycle · deep sleep · arousal · alertness · drowsiness · napping · night owl · early bird · morning person
entrainment
Rhythmic systems aligning naturally
- oscillatorCyclic signal generator
- periodicityRecurring at regular intervals
- chronotypeInnate daily rhythm preference
jet lag
Post-flight sleep disruption
- shift workLabor in timed blocks
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
- sleep disordersConditions impairing rest
phase shift · night shift · rotating shifts · time zone change · adjustment · fatigue · sleep debt · sleep deprivation · light pollution · screen time
light therapy
Treatment using bright lamps
- chronotherapyTime-optimized medical treatment
- sleep hygieneBehaviors promoting better rest
- light boxBacklit translucent display surface
sleep aid · sleep schedule · blue light blocking · phototherapy · resynchronization
- wellnesshealthy, wellness, fitness, exercise, nutrition
- activity patternsmorning routine, daily routine, sleep schedule, work schedule, eating habits
- cycleslife cycle, cycle, circle of life, cycles, period
- natural cyclessleep cycle, seasons, tides, water cycle, lunar cycle
- nocturnal activitynight vision, night feeding, prowling, stalking, night flying
- periodic cyclesseasons, day, night, lunar cycle, tides
rhythm, circa, rhythms, rhythmical, rhythmically, circadian, circadian rhythms, circadian clock