In Era of Covid-19, Role of Circadian Biological Clock in Mental Health of Pakistani Population

Abstract

The human immune system is linked to the circadian rhythm, which is controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the central nervous system. The Circadian Biological Clock (CBC) integrates the external environmental changes with internal human physiology. This clock provides temporal accuracy and strong adaptation to the surrounding environment. When CBCs are disrupted or misaligned, as a result of shift work, social jet lag, or other lifestyle factors, adverse mental health consequences arise such as mood disorders and anxiety. Prolong disruption leads to OCDs or schizophrenia. There is compelling evidence that disrupting the circadian biological clock can wreak havoc on one's mental health. This study highlights the impact of CBC on the general mental health of the Pakistani population during COVID19 pandemic. For this purpose, a survey research designed with a purposive sampling technique was used to collect data by using two tools and a sample of (N=379) individuals that selected from Lahore, Pakistan. Results revealed that the CBC explained significant variance with general mental health. The current research focused on the negative consequences of modern living practices and the importance of promoting synchronised lifestyle changes to align body rhythms for optimum mental health.