I spent about 50 years of my life as a professional musician. The “tools” of my art were Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm (the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music). All types of music are rhythmic: waltz; polka; tango; mambo; samba, et al.So, then, what is a “circadian rhythm? Unless one literally dances in his/her sleep, “circadian rhythm” has nothing to do with dancing.
Circadian rhythm is among the family of sleep disorders affecting (among other bodily processes) the timing of sleep. As a kid, I always wondered how I was able to awaken on time so as to not be tardy for school, or not be late for an athletic even in which I was a participant. And I wondered why I had this natural ability when many of my friends were late for everything. And always apologizing, but never changing.
I have a dear friend from my college days who is a fine Christian fellow. When we would decide to get together for such things as breakfast at the local restaurant, he would always be late. I decided that I had a responsibility, a duty, as an ordained Baptist Deacon, to counsel him in the hope of correcting him. I ventured to tell him that it was rather selfish of him to assume that others should have to wait for him because he figured he could be late, while others should patiently wait.
My counsel caused him to…change. He was never again late for any of our engagements. This increased the pressure upon me to never be late. I learned the lesson that it was not always possible to be on time. Sometimes my car wouldn’t start, or some unexpected family obligation caused me to be tardy. I use the word “tardy” because at St. Matthew’s School in Dorchester, MA we were graded for conduct and tardiness.
Back to the subject of Circadian Rhythms! “Humans, like most living organisms, have various biological rhythms, often referred to as ‘body clocks.’ Due to the circadian clock, sleepiness does not continuously increase throughout the day; a person’s desire and ability to fall asleep is influenced both by the length of time since the person woke from an adequate sleep and by internal circadian rhythms. Thus, a person’s body is ready for sleep and for wakefulness at relatively specific times of the day.
“Circadian rhythm disorders (CRSD) can lead to harmful psychological and functional difficulties and are often misdiagnosed and incorrectly treated due to the fact that doctors are unaware of their existence.”
It is Professaurus’ advice that everyone ask his/her doctor if they know what circadian rhythms are.
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