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Do you know your biological clock type? Uncover the mystery of morning and evening people!
The biological clock is an internal clock that has a profound impact on people's daily life. From the time to fall asleep at night to the alarm clock to wake up in the morning, these patterns are not only a matter of personal habits, but are actually determined by the body's internal circadian rhythm. According to research, people's biological clock types are mainly divided into two extremes, namely early type (lark) and late type (owl), and most people are somewhere in between.
The discovery of clock genes has provided a deeper understanding of the operation of the biological clock. These genes are responsible for regulating our hormone levels, metabolic functions and other important physiological processes.
As we age, people's circadian clock patterns change: children often tend to be early-morning, teenagers show a strong tendency toward late-morning, and older people again revert to an earlier schedule. These changes have led many psychologists and physiologists to focus on the relationship between the operation and performance of the circadian clock.
Reasons for biological clock adjustment
Scientists are still trying to unravel the factors that regulate the circadian clock. According to research, environmental factors, such as lighting, social behavior, and work and school time, have an important impact on adjusting the body's biological clock. These environmental cues are called "zeitgebers," and their interaction with genes affects a person's daily routine. Researchers have even begun to explore the connection between biological clocks and human evolution, realizing that our ancestors' nighttime alertness may have something to do with it.
According to research, people with morning and evening types show similar patterns in their living habits, social behaviors and even eating habits.
How to measure biological clock type
To assess an individual's circadian clock type, scientists developed a series of questionnaires. The most famous of these is the Morning and Evening Questionnaire (MEQ) proposed by Olov Östberg and Jim Horne in 1976. This questionnaire takes into account multiple factors to determine whether a person is a morning or evening person.
Another measurement tool is the Cycle Type Questionnaire (CTQ) and furthermore the Comprehensive Morning and Dusk Scale (CSM), which are constantly being revised to improve their psychometric properties.
Biological clock and personal characteristics
In addition to sleep patterns, morning-evening type is closely related to many personality traits. Research shows that individuals with early types are generally more stable in overall functional performance, while individuals with late types may perform better in creativity. Such personality differences can also directly affect people's work and study efficiency.
- Morally-type people are usually better at planning and organizing.
- Late people may have advantages in creativity and flexibility.
A new comprehensive analysis finds a small positive correlation between late-stage circadian clock type and intelligence.
The relationship between biological clock and health
Disturbed biological clock patterns are closely linked to a number of physical and mental health problems. Research shows that people with late-type biological clocks, in addition to experiencing difficulties in interpersonal communication, are also more likely to suffer from mental health problems such as depression and bipolar disorder. In addition, the effectiveness of certain therapies is also related to the type of body clock. People with late-stage depression may experience more adverse effects when taking certain antidepressant medications.
Scientists have discovered that there is a certain genetic correlation between the type of body clock and body mass index (BMI).
Future research directions
Nowadays, with the deepening of research on biological clocks, scientists are paying more and more attention to how to provide more personalized advice and medical treatment based on individual biological clocks. Adjustment of the biological clock can not only improve an individual's physiological health, but also improve the quality of life. In the days to come, we may be able to understand our biological clock patterns through simple genetic tests, and then adjust our daily lives.
In this world full of challenges and uncertainties, have you found a biological clock method that suits you?
