Your circadian rhythm and it’s level of function is closely connected to insomnia. While it is commonly believed that the circadian rhythm has to do with the time of day, it has a lot to do with the amount of light or darkness. We all have a clock inside that gives us a nudge when it is time to go to sleep for the night and when it is time to get up.

This internal clock within our body controls what is known as the circadian rhythm. These rhythms are associated with the regulation of many hormones that are released within our body throughout the day. For example, our body’s temperature and overall alertness are key factors directly affected by our circadian rhythm.

Since the circadian rhythm influences alertness and our energy level, for those with have a sleep disorder related to their circadian rhythm, their internal clock is “off” and they tend to feel alert when they should be tired or sleepy, and tired when they should have much energy. This is very common for those working the grave yard shift.

One of the biggest factors in regulating your circadian rhythms is how much exposure you get to very bright light, especially sunlight. When you don’t get enough light over a long period of time, such as during the winter, you may notice that you tend to feel more fatigued or have less energy when compared to the spring and summer.

The most common way to help correct sleep disorders related to your circadian rhythm is to use special forms of light therapy to slowly reset your internal clock. Using light therapy is a very simple process. It requires the proper lightning and about 30 to 60 minutes of your time every day in conjunction with following a strict sleep regimen. The light used for this form of therapy is usually delivered using a special device known as a light box. Light boxes in most cases use specialized fluorescent light bulbs that have a LUX value between 5000 and 10,000.

The key to success with light therapy is to time the light exposure correctly depending on your particular situation.