Peak Activity Times May Vary for Each of Us
By Tom Herrin
Being an individual is great. Each of us is entitled to live our lives according to however it works best. For some, this may mean rising with the sun, or before, each morning and retiring to bed shortly after the sun sets. When most people were farmers, this probably made a lot of sense. For others, waking up much later and spending the afternoon and/or evening actively engaged in some physical pursuits is much more productive. These two types of individuals are often referred to as members of the feathered family. One is an early bird while the other is a night owl. Neither one is all right or all wrong. It is largely a matter of differences in internal clocks.
We All Have Our Own Clocks
As much as we would like to think differently, it is not always so easy to train ourselves for changes in schedules. Some will often say that all we need do is go to bed early and get up early. It has been found that each of us has a biological clock that pretty much regulates our activity. This circadian rhythm tells us when to get up and when to be active. Those who tend to be active later may be well advised to consider jobs that operate on the same schedule. For many, it is much better than trying to force change. The risk of this can be less efficiency and more accidents.
The Early Bird May Not Always Get the Worm
Those who operate better by getting up early and going to bed early have ruled much of society. This has allowed them to fit into a better routine that is suited for 8 to 5 jobs. Some of these people also enjoy that early morning workout. If it works for them, great! Seeking employment that provides for this kind of routine will likely be the best thing they can do. If other members of the household are somewhat opposite, there may need to be some pretty good levels of compromise
Change Is Possible But Not Always Easy
Forcing changes in activity schedules is a really bad idea. If you decide you need to make some changes, it is best accomplished by doing it in small steps. Moving the alarm a few minutes at a time can allow for a smoother transition. Doing so over a period of weeks may mean greater success with fewer failures. If you are in a multi-scheduled household, a little compromise and gradual change may be the way to go.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Redmond, Wash.