You and Your Biological Clock
Finding Your Sleep/Wake Rhythm
Two internal systems interact to regulate when we sleep and when we are awake. These systems are the sleep/wake homeostat, which monitors our need for sleep based on how long we have been awake; and the circadian system, which regulates the cycling of numerous functions, including when we sleep and wake, every 24 hours.
These two systems usually counterbalance each other. However, because they operate independently, they can become misaligned. During jet lag or shift work, for instance, we might experience an alerting signal when trying to sleep, or, conversely, a powerful drive to sleep when we need to be awake.
Take a tour of these systems, and then explore factors that disrupt their normal interaction.