Preparing for Winter – The Science of Chronobiology

05 Nov 2014 Preparing for Winter – The Science of Chronobiology

As the days are becoming more chilly and the sun is setting earlier, I’m thinking about the changing of the seasons and how it affects our health.

The Science

Chronobiology is the science of biological rhythms. Unbeknownst to many of us, our bodies are deeply affected by the rhythms which are inherent in nature:

1. There’s evidence to suggest that we’re affected by the lunar cycle (for example, people tend to… not sleep as well when there’s a full moon).
2. Many of our hormones are secreted in circadian rhythm (growth hormone is preferentially secreted at night and cortisol- the stress hormone- is highest in the morning).
3. Believe it or not, we also have a seasonal rhythm.

We’ve moved away from being in tune with this seasonal rhythm with the advent of artificial light and heat and the change from agrarian life to city life. Modern living means we have access to non-seasonal produce all year round. It means we can stay awake all night long. It means women have moved away from having menstrual cycles which are linked with the moon’s cycle. It means we can even “change the clock” to suit our needs.

All that said, there is STILL a seasonal component to our health and we do better when we honor it. With the coming of fall and winter, our skin becomes dryer, our digestion slows down, we have increased vulnerability to respiratory tract infections (Vitamin D?), we often gain weight, for some of us there’s a change in mood, and our bodies naturally crave more sleep.

Our Recommendation

This is a time of year to focus on preparing the immune system, particularly if you frequently get sick in the winter. It’s also a great time of year for cleansing of the GI tract which contains 70-80% of immune cells and is intimately connected with the brain and mood regulation.

I love autumn. The temperate climate of my childhood in South Africa didn’t offer these wonderful and very noticeable seasonal changes. I’m excited to make soups and stews; to wear my warm slippers; to get into my pajamas at 8 pm!

Enjoy this time of year and call to schedule an appointment if you’d like help with preparing for the winter!

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