Almost every morning, I force myself out of bed to go to the gym before work. On dark winter mornings, I can't help but feel like I'm going against nature. In a way I am – it's no secret that light is one of the most significant modulators of our circadian rhythms. If I happen to be working from Jotform headquarters in San Francisco right after the time of day begins every spring, the fuzzy feeling is stronger than ever.

While daylight savings can guarantee more sunlight at the end of the day, it also means darker mornings. That's why many sleep experts disagreed with the US Senate when it proposed implementing Daylight Savings Time year-round (and as of this writing, the so-called “Sun Protection Act” is still in limbo). Sunny evenings can boost spendingbut not necessarily enhance health or cognitive function.

The good news is that circadian rhythms are a matter of nature AND feed. There are simple behavioral adjustments we can make to optimize our cognitive performance based on our innate 24-hour cycles. As CEO of Form Iot, a company that collaborates across different time zones, I try to be aware of the latest findings from circadian experts so I can do my best work wherever I am and encourage our team members to same thing. Here are some truths about circadian rhythms that have important implications for your thinking and productivity.