A new study, published in the journal Current Biology, reveals that if given a chance, our body's internal biological clocks will tightly synchronize to a natural, midsummer light-dark cycle.This might be the least-surprising study I've ever read, undoubtedly co-authored by Captain Obvious, Ph.D. Anyone who's ever camped could tell you that's one of the strongest appeals of camping. You can't help falling into a natural rhythm. When the sun goes down, you sit around the campfire for a while, and then you naturally want to go to sleep (especially if you've been hiking that day and your body is a little sore). And when the sun comes up and the birds are singing, you can't help but wake up.
The study found that a week of exposure to true dawn and dusk with no artificial lights had a significant effect on people who might otherwise describe themselves as night owls. Researchers found that under those conditions, night owls quickly become early birds.
"By increasing our exposure to sunlight and reducing our exposure to electrical lighting at night, we can turn our internal clock and sleep times back and likely make it easier to awaken and be alert in the morning," Kenneth Wright of the University of Colorado Boulder said in a news release.
You don't have to make a conscious effort to change your sleep patterns - it just happens.
Speaking of which, Maine '13 is five weeks away. More on that very soon.
