Live cyclically

The Sun rises and sets. The Moon waxes and wanes. We live on planet that rotates on its axis, alternating between day, an extended period of light, and night, a roughly equivalent period of darkness. These are small examples of how the cosmos operates cyclically.

Our bodies also act and react cyclically. The human body (plants and animals too) biologically responds to fluctuations of light and dark. Most cells and tissues in the body run on molecular "clocks" that operate most effectively when they synchronize with the external light-dark cycle they mirror.

The circadian rhythm, the twenty-four-hour cycle that regulates our sleep and waking times, works best when it syncs with the cycle of night and day. This rhythm supports brain function, first, by reporting to the hypothalamus gland, a tiny portion of the brain that is roughly the size of an almond. The hypothalamus works in concert with the pituitary gland to fire up the adrenals, which create the hormone cortisol in the morning, alerting us to rise, followed by melatonin at night, making us feel sleepy. This major neuroendocrine relationship, known as the HPA axis, controls autonomic nervous system and sets the stage for healthy hormone function during each part of the twenty-four-hour cycle. This diurnal/nocturnal, or day/night, hormonal oscillation acts as a foundation for all cognitive functioning. As a result, by living in alignment with the natural cycle of light and dark dictated by Earth's daily rotation and yearly revolution around the Sun, we allow our bodies to function better.

When we live out of sync with the natural cycles of light - for example, by exposing ourselves to too much artificial light at night or by failing to sleep - this natural internal clock is disrupted. The hypothalamus fails to do its job and the hormonal symphony it creates doesn't synchronize.

Returning to a life that's more in synch with circadian & cosmic rhythms is an important step toward mental, emotional and physical well-being. Small, simple practices, like shutting down digital devices at a certain hour each night, can help us achieve this.

Ultradian rhythm, shorter than 24hr, often repeating multiple times through the day.

Most common - the Basic Rest-Activity Cycle BRAC - this cycle happens 80 to 20 minute intervals and influences our energy and focus, and our REM vs NON-REM sleep cycles.

Infradian rhythms - occur in longer segments, the body's biological response to the seasons -circannual rhythm. Menstrual cycle- mirroring the circalunar rhythm of the Moon.

We don't have to dissect or understand every one of the cycles we encounter but we need to recognize that life is a "rhythm" inside a rhythm inside a rhythm.

We are constantly in dance with our internal beat and the beats of the Universe and Planets.

Living cyclically, aligned with the cycles of the Sun and Moon, is the most natural thing you'll ever do. It's what you are physically, mentally and emotionally design to do. Stop fighting these rhythms, instead, concede to them - because they guide so much of our biology. When we live in sync with them, everything becomes harmounious .