Abstract
Beyond the Hands of the Clock: Physiological Time. The author chooses a scientific, physiological approach to understand the evolutionary role of timing with respect to, organisms, behaviour and cellular rhythms. The circadian time of a human is reflected by the chronotype, which changes throughout a life time. The notion of a timely orchestrated physiology is thought to be essential for maintenance of homeostasis and a balanced metabolism in healthy subjects. The acceleration of everyday life, a rapidly clocked lifestyle as well as light pollution in urban and domestic spaces leads to an unbalancing of the physiological time regime. This misalignment of inner and environmental time can have a severe impact on health, ultimately minimizing longevity.