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One of the many marvels of being human is the large role played by our biological clocks which regulate such activities as blood pressure, metabolic rate, digestion, heart rate, and urinary output. Because genes control our biological clocks this personality trait is inherited.
I happen to be a lark rather than an owl. As a college student I was a person who loved to stay up late and study far into the night. Now I go to bed at 9 pm and get up at 4 am, which means I am a really committed lark! This habit of rising so early works well for Mary Ann and me since she is owl who likes to stay up and get up late; she takes a while to feel lively in the morning. The cats seem to prefer my schedule since they get an extra meal out of it and love to sleep in my office after their breakfast.
My need to have a routine which I follow rigorously is bolstered by my biological clock which sets the agenda for the day. I have figured out this schedule after years of experimenting with how my rhythms work.
The time period from 4 am to 7 am is just right for early morning prayers, greeting the moon, and saying hello to the rising sun. It is also an ideal opportunity to savor the silence as I curate material for our web site.
When 7 am rolls around I put up my daily seven quotations on Twitter, and then it is on to feeding the cats again, cleaning their litter boxes, stretching, and using the treadmill for a 30-minute walk. I repeat my own informal mantra throughout this exercise period.
The time frame between 8 am and 11 am is perfect for intensive reading and/or writing. This is the peak of mental alertness in my day. My lowest energy point is around 1 pm, two hours after lunch. I usually have film screenings in the middle of the day or at 6 pm which gives me a chance to walk uptown and get some sunlight and energy in movement.
Dinner is at 6 pm if there is no screening and then I watch a DVD or listen to music. Bedtime is at 9 pm.
My body must do a good job producing melatonin for I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Thanks to the miracle of my biological clock I have used all of my God-given energy and I look forward to another brand new day where I can be my larkish self!