#circadian-rhythm

#circadian-rhythm

We couldn't tell if it was day or night, said one former detainee who spent 10 months at the facility and whom the Guardian is not naming for fear of retaliation from US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (Ice) and the Geo Group, the private company that operates the detention center. The lights were on 24/7. We maybe saw the sun twice a week. Windows were coated in dark paint, and people made eye masks with their socks, he recalled.

If you're regularly feeling an energy slump in the afternoon, rather than grab a bag of cookies, you may consider instead changing the time that you eat lunch. Eating a heart-healthy breakfast and a high-protein sandwich at lunch at particular times of day can have a positive effect on your metabolism and, if you're dieting, weight loss as well. We spoke with Courtney Pelitera, MS, RD, CNSC of Live It Up and a registered dietitian nutritionist, about scientific studies that link meal timing with maintaining a healthy weight.

If you've been relying on a couple of nightcaps to drift off, you probably know the painful tossing and turning that comes when you try to skip a night. I used to pack a dozen travel-sized rum bottles in my backpack for weeklong camping trips, lining them up like medical supplies-not for a "good time," but to guarantee a "good night's sleep."

First of all, let's back up. What is melatonin? It's the hormone your brain produces naturally as part of its circadian rhythm, or the internal clock your body has to keep you on a natural, daily sleep schedule. Your pineal gland is in charge of making it, and sunlight signals it to slow down production so you can wake up and go about your day. Though your brain is already producing melatonin, the idea of taking a supplement is that it jump-starts your sleep cycle.

Circadian Syndrome, a cluster of metabolic, emotional, and sleep-related problems from disrupted internal clocks, significantly increases the risk of early death among older adults.

After using this app for a few weeks, I've realized some interesting patterns when it comes to my energy levels, and I've also made a few small tweaks to my daily habits.