Schwenninger Clock

The Schwenninger Clock is a model used to describe human sleep-wake patterns based on two internal biological processes: the homeostatic process, which builds sleep pressure the longer you're awake, and the circadian process, which regulates the approximate 24-hour cycle of sleepiness and alertness. The model illustrates how these processes interact to influence when we feel sleepy or alert, helping to explain variations in sleep timing, jet lag effects, and shift work challenges. It provides a framework for understanding individual differences in sleep habits and optimal sleep-wake scheduling.