I haven’t lived with a baby since we got Olive as a puppy nine years ago. But recently, I spent a few days with my daughter and her new pup, Birdy.
And let me tell you—puppy rhythms run the show.
The entire day revolved around her crystal-clear needs:
✨ Eat ✨ Drink ✨ Play ✨ Pee ✨ Poop ✨ Snuggle ✨ Sleep
If she missed a beat, she let us know.
If she was thirsty, she sat by her empty bowl and whined.
If she was tired, she curled up on my lap.
And if she was overtired?
Let’s just say: fluffy piranha mode activated.
Snapping, biting, chewing on anything within reach until we helped her settle.
Repeat.
We’re Not So Different, Really
As humans, we also have rhythms.
Despite our smartphones and lattes, we’re still mammals—and our biology needs tending.
According to Dr. Michael Breus, author of Sleep Drink Breathe:
“Even just a small glitch in any of your life-sustaining fundamental bio behaviors can set off a cascade of bad reactions that throws your entire system out of whack…”
Sleep, hydration, food, movement, sunlight, rest—when one domino falls, the rest can tumble fast.
I experienced this firsthand during my Birdy babysitting stint.
Just four days of being on her schedule disrupted my own.
Poor sleep ➡ sluggish digestion ➡ foggy brain ➡ cranky mood
Sound familiar?
The Domino Effect (and How to Reverse It)
Dr. Breus calls this the “dominos of wellness”.
Miss one essential behavior, and suddenly you’re:
⚡️ Hangry by 11 AM
⚡️ Craving sugar at 3 PM
⚡️ Up too late scrolling, off your game the next day
But here’s the good news: the reverse is also true.
✨ Go to bed 15 minutes earlier, and you might have energy for a morning walk.
✨ Drink water first thing, and digestion improves—and caffeine cravings lessen.
✨ Move your body, and your mood shifts for the better.
Summer: Rhythm Disrupter-in-Chief
In many ways, summer is the season of ease.But it’s also really easy to lose your rhythms.
Late sunsets = later bedtimes
Celebrations = more sugar, alcohol, and disrupted digestion
Early sunrises = earlier wake-ups, whether you like it or not
Your body still needs tending—even if it’s not hibernation season.
Without rhythm, even the most joyful summer can leave you feeling… off. (And no one wants to go full fluffy piranha.)
Your Rhythm Check-In
This week, I invite you to pause & ask:
What rhythm in your life needs the most tending right now?
✨ Is your sleep off track from long summer days?
✨ Is your eating rhythm chaotic from travel or celebrations?
✨ Has your movement practice gone MIA?
Notice without judgment.
Birdy didn’t feel guilty for needing her nap—she just took it.
Maybe we could learn something from that kind of instinctual self-care.
Coming Up Next: Rituals
Next week, we’ll explore rituals—the grounding, repeatable practices that help keep your rhythms intact, even when life gets chaotic.
Until then, give yourself permission to rest, reset, and restore your natural beat.
Warmly,
Dr. Krista
P.S. Olive Has Notes
Olive would like you to know she has maintained perfect rhythmic integrity for 10 years running.
Her tips?
✔ Strategic napping
✔ Belly rubs
✔ Less overthinking
She’s not wrong.