Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health—not to mention your productivity and creativity. Not only does your brain need quality sleep in order to “clean” and balance itself, but it’s also during slumber that the heart and blood

What Are Sleep Disorders?

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Typically, people sleep at night — thanks not only to the conventions of the 9-to-5 workday, but also to the close interaction between our natural sleep and alertness rhythms, which are driven by an internal “clock.”

This clock is a small part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus. It sits just above the nerves leaving the back of our eyes. Light and exercise “reset” the clock and can move it forward or backward. Abnormalities related to this clock are called circadian rhythm disorders (“circa” means “about,” and “dies” means “day”).

Circadian rhythm disorders include jet lag, adjustments to shift work, delayed sleep phase syndrome (you fall asleep and wake up too late), and advanced sleep phase syndrome (you fall asleep and wake up too early).

Insomnia

People who have insomnia don’t feel as if they get enough sleep at night. They may have trouble falling asleep or may wake up frequently during the night or early in the morning. Insomnia is a problem if it affects your daytime activities.