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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Circadian Code summary
Satchin Panda
Lose Weight, Supercharge Your Energy, and Sleep Well Every Night
20 mins
Brief summary
The Circadian Code by Satchin Panda is a book that explores the importance of aligning our daily routines with our internal biological clocks for better health and well-being. It offers practical tips for optimizing our sleep, eating, and exercise patterns to enhance our overall quality of life.
Table of Contents
The Circadian Code
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Seeing the light
Primitive humans naturally slept at night and were active during the daytime. The discovery of fire was a major turning point, as it provided light and protection at night. Still, for most of history, artificial light at night was rare and expensive.
It was only in the twentieth century, with widespread electric lighting, that humans really began extensively disrupting their circadian cycles. Shift work, evening entertainment, computers, etc. now stimulate our brains with light late into the night.
This allowed humans to work, eat, and play at all hours under bright indoor lights. But our bodies are still programmed to align with daylight. So constant artificial light – especially blue light at night from screens – disrupts our circadian clocks.
Light influences the body's clock through retinal cells called melanopsin. Blue light tricks them into thinking it's daytime, which suppresses melatonin and disrupts sleep. Chronic circadian disruption from modern lighting makes us prone to obesity, diabetes, depression, cancer, and more. Studies show that shift workers in particular, or those whose schedule changes from day to night work regularly, are particularly susceptible.
But understanding how light wavelengths affect melanopsin at different times of day can help optimize lighting to fight these effects. Reducing blue light exposure at night, for instance, and getting natural daylight in the morning, both help mimic natural cycles of light and dark to resynchronize circadian rhythms.
Further breakthroughs have uncovered that genes in the liver and other organs turn on and off cyclically, too. This daily genomic rhythm regulates metabolism. Disrupting it can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health issues widespread today.
So it isn’t just genetics that predispose people to illness or ill health, but how we follow, or disrupt, our bodies' cycles.
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What is The Circadian Code about?
The Circadian Code (2018) presents a fascinating look at the science of circadian rhythms – how human biology is timed in daily cycles. It reveals how small tweaks in things like the timing of meals, exercise, or light exposure can have an outsized impact on health and well-being.
The Circadian Code Review
The Circadian Code (2018) offers valuable insights into how our biological clock impacts our health and well-being. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Packed with scientific research and evidence, it provides practical strategies to optimize our daily routines for better sleep, increased energy, and enhanced overall health.
- By exploring the impact of food, light, and timing on our circadian rhythms, the book unveils the secrets to a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
- With clear explanations and relatable examples, it successfully bridges the gap between complex scientific concepts and everyday life, making it a compelling and accessible read.
Who should read The Circadian Code?
- Frustrated dieters looking for a breakthrough
- Anyone looking for better sleep or more energy when they’re awake
- Health optimizers looking for simple daily habits than can maximize well-being
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The Circadian Code FAQs
What is the main message of The Circadian Code?
The main message of The Circadian Code is to align our daily routines with our biological clocks for optimal health and well-being.
How long does it take to read The Circadian Code?
The reading time for The Circadian Code varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Circadian Code a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Circadian Code is worth reading for those interested in understanding the impact of our daily habits on our health. It offers valuable insights and practical tips.
Who is the author of The Circadian Code?
The author of The Circadian Code is Satchin Panda.
What to read after The Circadian Code?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Circadian Code, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Ayurveda by Vasant Lad
- The Sleep Prescription by Aric Prather
- The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk
- 28-Day FAST Start Day-by-Day by Gin Stephens
- Zero Sugar / One Month by Becky Gillaspy
- The Greatest Secret by Rhonda Byrne
- Own the Day, Own Your Life by Aubrey Marcus
- The Practice of Not Thinking by Ryunosuke Koike
- Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Meurisse
- 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari