Respecting the Internal Clocks of Others Is Critical
By Tom Herrin
One of the keys to getting along with others is finding ways to respect the way in which they are different from us. It can be a challenge as, many times, we fail to understand just how the other person works. The difference between night people and day people is, literally, night and day. However, many parents and grandparents have often tried to impose their own way of life on others. While it may sound good, it can be a disaster. It has been discovered that each of us has a circadian rhythm that is our own. This is our internal clock that tells us when to get up and when to wind down. Many times, we have very little control over the effectiveness of just how this works. Trying to force it on someone can be a bad deal. The old saying about putting a square peg in a round hole still rings true here.
Use What You Have
If you are made for the evenings, try finding work and other activities that go along with that. I have a strong preference for evenings. I have tried exercising early in the day only to be met with failure. I found myself feeling beaten up and unable to function well afterwards. Even getting an early start for the day with work tends to leave me much less productive.
Day Life Is Fine
Some of us are made for days. Arising early and starting the day fully charged works for lots of people. It may have once been considered the only way any of us should live, and it may be ideal for those who depend on agriculture for a livelihood. The notion of early to bed, early to rise hits a note with most of us who live our lives on the day shift. Most of these individuals enjoy the early morning jog or workout.
The Twain May Meet in the Middle
It is not always easy for those who function better on a late shift and those who prefer early hours to live together. There is nothing wrong, but there needs to be some mutual understanding and appreciation. I tend to do late nights while my wife is more the early type. It works, but we have to know what works for the other. At times, finding some times in the middle can work. At other times, we just go with the flow knowing that she will be asleep on the way home from a late activity and that I will be dragging myself up when we have something early. Neither is wrong. It is just a matter of different internal clocks.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Salt Lake City, Utah.