8 Signs Your Body Clock Has Been Knocked Completely Off Rhythm

Woman asleep on trainSome of us are night owls, while others are morning larks. That’s down to our chronotype – our natural, in-built preference for morning or evening activity. And while some evidence suggests that getting to bed before 1 am is good for everyone regardless of chronotype, there’s still a lot of variation within that window.Getting enough sleep is harder for many later chronotypes, who are struggling against an early bird-oriented world. That may lead to worse mental health outcomes, for instance. Meanwhile, natural early risers face similar struggles when they go against their own body’s preferences by getting up later. So, we thought we’d share some signs you’re not sticking to your body’s preferred schedule, and what to do about it.How can I tell if my body clock is broken?There’s a term for the issue – Circadian rhythm disorders. These can include everything from jet lag to delayed or advanced sleep-wake phase disorders (the latter of which is common among older people) and even shift work sleep disorder. It can also manifest as waking up at unpredictable times in seemingly random intervals, or regular sleep patterns that work outside of the usual 24-hour framework. They affect about 3% of the population, Cleveland Clinic writes.Per the National Institutes of Health, some signs you may have one of these conditions include “extreme daytime sleepiness, decreased alertness, and problems with memory and decision-making.” You may also struggle with insomnia, have issues getting to sleep or staying asleep, fall asleep when you don’t plan to, notice stress and mood changes, or experience appetite changes (either cravings or suppressed appetite). How can I get realigned with my body clock?The Sleep Foundation says that you shouldn’t try to fix your sleep schedule all at once. Instead, take it slowly – go to bed less than an hour closer to your ideal bedtime every night until your schedule is aligned with your body clock. Going outside in the morning to catch some am rays can help your body to understand what timeframe it should operate within too. Limiting caffeine, avoiding exercise too late in the day, sticking to regular meal times (and not eating less than three hours before bed) can all help as well. Speak to your doctor if lifestyle changes don’t help and your sleep pattern is interfering with your day-to-day life (especially if it persists after three months). Related...Think You're Sleep Deprived? The 'Spoon Test' Can Prove ItGoing To Bed After This Time May Affect Healthy AgeingAwake At 3 AM And Can't Get Back To Sleep? It Could Be A Red Flag Sign

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