Why your body clock affects your mood

Doctor! It is the same question every time you see me! Why I sometimes ask about your sleep schedule in psychiatry? Here's the simple reason:

Your body has an internal 24-hour clock called the circadian rhythm. It tells your brain when to feel awake, when to feel sleepy, and when to release important chemicals that affect mood.

When this clock runs smoothly, your mood, energy, and focus tend to be more stable. When it gets disrupted — late nights on screens, irregular sleep, too much light at night, or shift work — it can make you feel more anxious, low, irritable, or tired, even if you don't realize the clock is the problem.

We now know that circadian rhythm problems are very common in depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and seasonal mood changes. Fixing the body clock often helps the mood improve.

The good news

Small, consistent changes can make a real difference:

• Waking up and going to bed at similar times each day
• Getting morning sunlight
• Dimming lights in the evening

— Dr. Alicja Wasilewski, MD
Good Mind MD