I believe the term you ought to use when discussing a person’s biological clock is “Circadian Rhythm.” Yes, we all have it (all species, actually), and it is fairly genetically fixed, meaning your DNA helps you out even when you want to take 100% credit for your own merits.

Of course, with diligent training, one can artificially alter one’s circadian rhythm. One can indeed wake up at wee hours in the morning, like I do daily. However, like Paddy, I feel physically ill, and I actually put on weight if I am not careful in monitoring myself.

There are many biological factors in why waking up early is easier for some and not for others. Much of one’s circadian rhythm dictates endocrine levels (i.e. hormonal secretion of melatonin, cortisol, etc.).

I remember having a conversation with another fellow “night” person on the topic of this post-modern endeavor in keeping the agricultural hours (farming hours which coincide with “natural” clock of our animal friends). Is this natural for all persons? Not quite. Then the existence and science behind circadian rhythm should be an obsolescence. By the way, he does show similar physical symptoms as I do, which put me at ease. I thought thatI was chronically ill, for the longest

Anyhow, we all have to do what we have to do to make a living. I would prefer it if the world does not operate based on the hours of the agricultural era. Now is the time when we actually rely on more cephalic functions than our brawns. The production hours need to tailor more to the most productive hours for individuals within that particular field of work.

We want our physicians alert and error-free when they’re operating on us. No more surgical instruments left inside and being sutured up like a stuffed whatever. No more misdiagnosis. This also relates to sleep deprivation, not just going against one’s circadian rhythm, of course. It’s not a mutually-exclusive topic.

Popularly, saving energy when a working day begins early, some contend? All offices that open early in the morning have lights and their electronic equipments running. The same expenditures are occuring during early hours as they do at nights. More energy expenditure happens, if you think logically, because we also have to keep our internal environment’s temprature cool for those who work a “normal” 8 to 5, especially during summer.

Oh, what I would not give to feel physically ill when I am working! I feel as though someone has beaten me up and my muscles are extremely tense. My eyeballs actually feel tighter and pressure builds up. No, I am not suffering from Glaucoma. I’ve already checked myself out. My cortisol level is high, a physician tells me.

During the weekend, when I sleep in until 8:30 or 9:00 a.m., and naturally awake without an alarm clock, I feel very refreshed. I am smarter, happier, and more productive during the weekend. Just like my college days when I and many others considered me a serious scholar. Fast-forward the time, here I am, as a 35 year-old analyst, much of the thinking and analytical part of my work happens during my weekend hours when I am actually in my physically optimal state. My performance during the work hours is erratic, to me, at best.

It is a serious conundrum for those of us who have to align ourselves with those who share a different biological clock. We all like to tout “everyone is unique” only when it comes to our character attributes. Well, folks, we are physically unique on many levels as well, especially when it comes to your respective endocrine levels.

However, I would love to some day, perhaps in my 20th year, conquer my own biological rhythm and align myself to the “normal” hours of the masses/majority.

Thank you for a great, encouraging website.

Are you a House fan? That is by far my favorite show. I own all of the seasons. I remember the episode you are speaking of. I haven’t missed a show in the past 3 1/2 years.

Tad
http://growingintoyou.com