We don’t exactly need more sleep during the wintertime, but due to factors beyond our control, we definitely want it.
Winter brings with it longer nights and better sleeping conditions. Melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycles is affected by light. With less light, more of the hormone is produced and this leaves us feeling more tired than usual.
For human beings to maintain energy levels, concentration and hormone balance, we need to supply our bodies with sufficient ‘charging time’ in the form of sleep. Sleep deprivation can cause a multitude of problems including weight gain and the risk of diabetes. Keeping your sleep quota at optimum levels not only leaves you feeling bright eyes and bushy tailed, it also supports your weight loss and healthy eating goals.
Most of us wish we could hibernate during the winter months. We can’t ensure that you’ll still be able to keep your job while snoozing for months at a time, BUT we CAN give you 5 tips to ensure the sleep you do get is good quality!
1. Set yourself a bedtime and stick to your routine.
2. Keep your room temperature cool and comfortable, but not too dry.
3. Try and get at least 30 minutes of light/moderate exercise in every day.
4. Take a bath or read a book before going to sleep.
5. Avoid eating three to four hours before going to bed.
“”Sleep is the time for the body to rest and repair itself and get ready for the functions of the day,”” Associate Physician in the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School Lawrence Epstein, M.D., said.
Interesting fact: Women need slightly more sleep than men! Why? This is because women’s brains are wired differently from men’s and are slightly more complex, so their sleep need will be slightly greater. That explains a lot! LOL
