Why we need to reconnect with nature's biological rhythms-and rediscover the benefits of a good night's sleep
All of life is profoundly shaped by the daily, monthly, and yearly cycles of our planet, and all creatures have internal timekeeping systems that rely on cues from the surrounding environment. With modern technology, we are changing our environments-and by proxy, the ecosystems around us-to override these innate rhythms of life. But at what cost? Life in Sync reveals how Earth's rotations shape our biology, what human sleep cycles looked like before the advent of artificial light, and why technology can't free us from the constraints of our circadian clocks.
Philippa Gander explores the science behind the biological rhythms that animate us and our world, blending captivating storytelling with illuminating examples ranging from migratory birds and hibernating squirrels to jet-lagged pilots and astronauts in space. She shows how genetic circadian clocks are an ancient evolutionary adaptation that we share with all life on the planet, and how our rapidly expanding use of artificial light at night disrupts the time cues for entire ecosystems. Gander explains why cutting back on sleep adversely affects our well-being, safety, and longevity, and how breakthroughs in sleep science offer solutions to bring our lives more in harmony with nature's rhythms.
An astonishing journey of scientific discovery, Life in Sync unlocks the mysteries of biological time-and offers new perspectives for anyone who has ever given up a good night's sleep for the sake of their hectic waking hours. Philippa Gander is professor emeritus and founder of the Sleep/Wake Research Centre at Massey University in New Zealand. An internationally renowned expert on sleep and circadian rhythms, she is a fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. "Recent breakthroughs in chronobiology reveal powerful strategies to recover lost rhythms-and improve sleep. Drawing on decades of her own research, Gander leads an in-depth tour of the science and leaves no doubt that respecting circadian clocks is crucial not just for individual well-being but also for the future of our planet."-Lynne Peeples, author of The Inner Clock: Living in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythms
"Gander presents a rigorous, evidence-based case for why an understanding of biological time and its role in life is important to a range of disciplines. In her indomitable style, Gander seamlessly links the basic science to real-world applications, leaving the reader wondering how it is that we aren't acting now on the knowledge we have. Life in Sync is a beautifully written book."-Sally Ferguson, director of the Appleton Institute, CQUniversity Adelaide
"The importance of sleep/wake cycles to our life on Earth is as inestimable as it is intriguing. Philippa Gander succeeds in communicating this complex science in her highly informative and engaging book."-Colin A. Espie, University of Oxford "This is a fascinating subject."---Peter Bowes, Healthspan Media
