The Inner Clock: Living in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythms

by Lynne Peeples Narrated by Brittany Pressley

Overview

"A rich history of what makes us tick, so to speak, paired with fascinating modern discoveries about how circadian rhythms influence our daily lives" -The Wall Street Journal

How the groundbreaking science of circadian rhythms can help you sleep better, feel happier, and improve your overall health

Your body contains a symphony of tiny timepieces, synchronized to the sun and subtle signals in your environment and behavior. But modern insults like artificial light, contrived time zones, and late-night meals can wreak havoc on your internal clocks.

Armed with advances in biology and technology, a circadian renaissance is reclaiming those lost rhythms. The Inner Clock explores the emerging science and its transformative applications: How could taking a walk in the morning and going to bed at the same time each night keep your body in sync? Why are some doctors prescribing treatments at specific times of day? And how might a better understanding of our circadian rhythms improve educational outcomes, optimize sports performance, and support the longevity of our planet?

Science journalist Lynne Peeples seeks out the scientists, astronauts, athletes, and patients at the forefront of a growing movement. Along the way, she sleeps in a Cold War-era bunker, chases the midnight sun, spits into test tubes, and wears high-tech light sensors to decipher what makes our internal clocks tick and how we can reset them for the better.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A rich history of what makes us tick, so to speak, paired with fascinating modern discoveries about how circadian rhythms influence our daily lives" —The Wall Street Journal

"The definitive take on what scientists currently know about how the circadian system works, how it’s disrupted by the ways we live now, and what we should do about it." —Alex Hutchinson, Outside

"Edifying. . . . This enlightens." —Publishers Weekly

"An immensely informative and fascinating account." —Psychology Today

“I stayed up all night reading this book! Lynne Peeples, you have wrecked my circadian rhythms, and I enjoyed every minute.”  —Mary Roach, bestselling author of Fuzz and Stiff

“The Inner Clock explores the strange new science of why your circadian rhythms fall out of sync—and how to get them back on track to live a happier, healthier life.” —James Nestor, bestselling author of Breath

"A fascinating journey through the science of circadian rhythms, revealing how our bodies’ tiny timepieces shape every aspect of our lives. Captivating, perceptive, and, yes, timely.” —Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of When

“The Inner Clock paints an intricate picture of the ways our physiology evolved to function in harmony with the rhythms of the world around us.” —James Hamblin, author of Clean and If Our Bodies Could Talk

“A captivating exploration of light and dark, our peculiar biology, and the powerful, invisible rhythms of our waking and sleeping lives.” —Deborah Blum, Pulitzer-prize winning author of The Poison Squad

“You may not realize it until you read this smart, lucid book, but your body clocks are ticked off. Fortunately, it's not too late for a reset. An essential guide to a fascinating and underappreciated aspect of human biology.”  —Dan Fagin, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Toms River

Kirkus Reviews

2024-05-30
A study of how understanding the natural cycles of time could open up new pathways of health and well-being.

One of the most interesting fields attracting new scientific inquiry is chronobiology, which examines timing processes, including periodic cycles, in organisms. Aside from animals and plants, writes science journalist Peeples, there is evidence that the deep-seated natural rhythms of the human body are crucial to our physical and mental health. Unfortunately, as the author shows, they have been severely disrupted by modern lifestyles. Peeples is willing to dive wholeheartedly into her subject, and her research even included a period in an underground bunker to see how it affected her. She tracks through the history of clocks and artificial lighting, which pushed people into unnatural schedules, and she presents new research that has revealed how the parts of the light spectrum have different effects on the human body and mind. Blue light, especially early in the day, can provide an extra burst of energy, while orange is good for winding down after activity. Peeples ranges widely, delving into jet lag, the problems for astronauts and polar scientists in dark environments, and the damaging impact of excessive artificial light on the ecosystem. She also looks at experiments suggesting that the right lighting conditions can help to treat dementia, depression, and other mental illnesses. The importance of circadian rhythms is slowly being recognized, Peeples notes, although the current research needs better systemization. She hopes that chronobiology will eventually become part of the standard health tool kit, but until that time, she offers useful advice. Throw away the alarm clock, get some sunshine every day, and listen to what your body is telling you.

Peeples writes with infectious enthusiasm, and the result is an engaging look at a field with huge potential.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160459707
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	09/24/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

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