body clock

A body clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, is an internal system that regulates your natural sleep-wake cycle over approximately 24 hours. It influences when you feel alert, tired, hungry, or sleepy by responding to environmental cues like light and darkness. This biological clock helps synchronize bodily functions such as hormone release, body temperature, and metabolism with day and night. Maintaining a regular schedule that aligns with your body clock supports overall health, while disruptions—like shift work or irregular sleep patterns—can affect mood, alertness, and physical well-being.