Russell G. Foster

In Life Time: Your Body Clock and Its Essential Roles in Good Health and Sleep Russell Foster presents the science and the application of circadian rhythms in human life and does so in very accessible terms.

Ever since taking a MOOC about seven years ago on "Circadian Clocks," of which one of the instructors is mentioned in Foster's book, I have been interested in the topic. My personal interest is both in the science and the way the information can improve our lives, from structuring work to personal decisions about time management. Foster does a wonderful job of weaving the two together so that any reader with an interest can follow along and have some idea how to make changes.

As much as I enjoyed the actual expository parts of the chapters, I really think the little Q&A at the end of chapters were a great idea. These are questions that many readers would likely have, and ones he has heard numerous times before. I think what it does is help the reader to think about questions they might have, many of which may well be answered upon a second reading.

The appendices are also very helpful for anyone wanting to learn how to apply the ideas to their own habits. While some things may be out of our control (what job we have, other key lifestyle patterns) if we can learn to make even some improvement we can be a little healthier and feel a bit better. Even something as small as, for 3rd shift workers, not running errands right after work and sleeping instead.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the topic of circadian rhythms in biology as well as those seeking to make their own lives better. With extensive references you can dive deeper into any area that intrigues you.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (more)

Foster and Kreitzman's first book, Rhythms of Life, explained the importance of the circadian, or daily, rhythms that animals and plants live by. This second venture shifts the time span outwards and delves into the complexities of circannual, or seasonal, rhythms.

The first chapter is devoted to plants, and the way in which they use circannual rhythms to initiate flowering and other vital events in their yearly cycle. There are chapters on circannual rhythms in animals and birds, including the timing of conception and reproduction, hibernation and migration. These chapters clearly set out the latest research on why and how these rhythms operate, how they contribute to species survival, and demonstrate the way all of nature is connected in a giant web of interdependent species and individuals.

Finally there are chapters on the effects of circannual rhythms on humans. This includes such fascinating topics as the prevalence of certain illnesses at different times of year, birth and death patterns in different seasons, and a chapter on SAD, including research and ideas on its prevention and treatment.

This was definitely not what you would call an easy read. The chapters on animals and plants are very detailed and there is a fair amount of biological terminology to get your head around, as well as diagrams that take a little time to study and understand. That said, Foster and Kreitzman have done a great job at explaining things for the lay reader and making the book as accessible as possible without losing its scientific rigour. The chapters on human circannual rhythms are much easier to understand anyway, approaching the subject on a more sociological basis to reflect both the effects of complex social issues on our lives and the relative lack of knowledge about our human internal clocks. A very worthwhile and interesting read!… (more)