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Sleep Adaptation Timeline

Meaning

The Sleep Adaptation Timeline refers to the measurable duration required for the body’s circadian rhythm and homeostatic sleep drive to fully adjust to a significant change in sleep schedule, environmental light exposure, or geographic time zone. This timeline reflects the inherent plasticity and inertia of the central biological clock, typically spanning several days to weeks depending on the magnitude of the shift. Clinically, understanding this timeline is essential for mitigating the negative health effects of jet lag or shift work. It quantifies the body’s resynchronization process.