In today’s fast-paced world, many of us rely on television to unwind after a long day. However, watching TV at night can have negative effects on our sleep and overall health and well-being, as it can disrupt our circadian rhythm. In this article, we’ll discuss what the circadian rhythm is, how it works, and how watching TV at night can negatively impact it.

What is the Circadian Rhythm?

The circadian rhythm is an internal biological process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle in living organisms, including humans. It’s controlled by an internal “biological clock” located in the hypothalamus in the brain, which runs on a 24-hour cycle that is synchronized with the external environment, such as light and dark. This rhythm helps regulate various physiological processes, including hormone production, metabolism, and cellular activity, and plays a crucial role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle.

How Does TV Watching at Night Affect the Circadian Rhythm?

The blue light emitted by televisions and other electronic devices have been shown to suppress the production of the sleep hormone “melatonin”, making it harder for us to fall asleep. Additionally, the content of the programs we watch can be stimulating, causing our minds to become more alert and preventing us from feeling sleepy. The background noise from the TV can also make it more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.

In general, it’s recommended to avoid screens for at least an hour before bedtime, as the blue light exposure can interfere with our circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep. This can lead to sleep deprivation and a host of other health problems, including stress, weight issues, low energy levels, and potentially a compromised immune system or other more serious issues (see below links). The circadian rhythm can be affected in shift workers, who work the night shift also.

The Benefits of a Properly Functioning Circadian Rhythm

A properly functioning circadian rhythm has many benefits, including:

1. Improved sleep quality: A regular circadian rhythm can help regulate sleep patterns, leading to improved sleep quality and duration.
2. Increased energy and alertness: A healthy circadian rhythm can help regulate energy levels throughout the day, leading to increased alertness and productivity.
3. Better mood: The regular release of hormones and other biological processes regulated by the circadian rhythm can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
4. Better physical health: A healthy circadian rhythm has been linked to a reduced risk of various health conditions, including obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
5. Improved cognitive function: Proper regulation of the circadian rhythm has been linked to improved memory, attention, and overall cognitive function.

So, it’s important to be mindful of the effects that watching TV at night can have on our sleep and overall health. By minimizing exposure to screens and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, we can support a healthy circadian rhythm and reap the benefits of better sleep, improved mood, and better overall health.

Making sure that your body is balanced might help as well. Having a maintenance Kinesiology Balance session will continue to centre all aspects of you… Mentally, Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually!

More Interesting Info:
https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5107711
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/translational/peph/podcasts/2018/may17_circadian/index.cfm

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