The Brain, Chiropractic and Circadian Rhythm

Stress changes the balance of the nervous system and the connections and patterns within the brain. Are you aware that a poor circadian rhythm is a stress and this can drive the brain and nervous system into the survival fight or flight engagement even when no danger is present?

I have stated for many years that chiropractic adjustments help balance brain and nervous system function because we are what we repeat. Repeat positive things that enhance brain and nervous system patterns you will get positive results. If we repeat a lifestyle that creates a poor circadian rhythm through staying up late each night especially under LED lights or spend too much time on screens after dark, this will pattern the brain and nervous system into a non healing survival pattern.

By creating a darker night and getting to bed at a decent hour once may not be enough to break the habituated brain and nervous system survival pattern. Research into circadian rhythm did show that camping away from all electrical lighting for between 2-7 days and spending the majority of the day outdoors did reset the circadian rhythm.

For most people their current life situation may not allow such a dramatic shift escaping back to nature to reset their circadian rhythm, so creating better choices and habits around daytime and nighttime routines will require long time for the rhythm to reset.

Utilising adjustments as a catalyst for changing brain and nervous system balance and patterns and making a few minor home changes each night could help improve and optimise circadian rhythm resulting in benefits flowing through to health.

Being outdoors more often during the day where possible and having less exposure to artificial light after dark combined with a predetermined bed time are a great place to start for building an optimal circadian rhythm. By following through with this long term, the patterns of your brain and the balance of your nervous system may just thank you for it.