It also plays a major role in howproductive and focused1you are.

OK, so what’s the circadian rhythm?

As the light diminishes and then disappears, the clock signals the body that it is time to sleep.

Eva Selhub, M.D.

Every 24 hours, the clock is reset as sunlight comes through.

Is our modern lifestyle messing with our biological clock?

In short: absolutely.

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To say that our circadian rhythms have been disrupted is an understatement.

Every system of the body needs to be in sync for the system to work well and efficiently.

When the circadian rhythm is off, the body goes out of step with its natural rhythms.

5 ways to adopt a circadian-rhythm-friendly lifestyle.

Enhance natural light exposure.

Practice good sleep hygiene.

The more regular your sleep, the better regulated your circadian rhythm will be.

Instead, use the hour before sleep to read,journal, or do acalming meditation.

Cut back on caffeineparticularly in the eveningsand sip one of thesecalming teasat night instead.

Finally, keep your sleep schedule consistent!

A sleep-supporting supplement may help you ease into this new, steadier routine.

*Here’s a list of mindbodygreen’s all-time favorites.

Eat at set times.

Harvard scientistshave discoveredthat we havea food-related clockthat might supersede the light-based master clock.

It was likely designed evolutionarily to avoid starvation.

Your “clock genes” and the regulation of all biological systems are intricately connected to thestress response.

The bottom line.