Finding balance during the silly season

The silly season is well and truly upon us. For many, that means more work functions, BBQs and other social events.

It's a good time to remind ourselves that looking out for your circadian health shouldn't stop you from living your life. Here's three tips for striking a balance this season.

"Go to bed at a consistent time. Avoid eating before bed."  Following the conventional wisdom is especially tricky at this time of year. If maintaining a consistent schedule is causing you anxiety, regardless of how good it is for your circadian rhythm, something's wrong.

Just like the occasional treat won't undo a healthy diet, one office Christmas party isn't gonna derail your circadian rhythm.

Your routine is bound be shaken up during this chaotic time of year. And that's okay. The key takeaway is to aim to get enough of the right light during the day.

Getting sunlight or using Loop after a late night will make finding your groove much easier, allowing you to recover faster. So make the most of the longer, warmer days by spending more time outdoors.

For many of us, this is the first Christmas in a few years that we're considering travelling overseas.

Travelling between timezones can also cause disruption to your circadian rhythm in the form of jet lag. Unlike the chronic circadian disruption caused by modern lighting, most people recover from jet lag within a few days to a week, depending on the time difference. Still, it takes a toll on your health.

Thankfully, you can acclimatise to a new timezone significantly faster using carefully timed light exposure. If you are travelling, we recommend checking out this app from our friends at TimeShifter that recommends when to seek light, consume caffeine and nap to minimise the effects of travel on your circadian rhythm.