With the winter months rapidly approaching, mornings are beginning to get darker and darker. Around this time of year, people may begin to find it difficult to spring out of bed at the sound of their alarm in the same way they may have on a sunny, summer’s day. They may also find they feel the need to sleep for longer.
The weather and drop in temperature do, in part, contribute to this difficulty rising to greet the day.
However, there is also a key change in our bodies and the productions of the hormone melatonin that could be contributing to a slower start.
What is melatonin?
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps to control your sleep patterns.
The hormone is produced by the pineal gland at night and is associated with the sleep-wake cycle.
According to the NHS, a manmade version of melatonin is often used to treat short-term sleep problems and sleep problems in people over the age of 55.
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How does melatonin affect waking up in the winter months?
Darkness caused the body to produce more melatonin, which signals to the body that it is time to prepare for sleep.
Light, on the other hand, can decrease melatonin production and sends signals to the body to stay awake.
In the winter months, as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, some people may begin to produce more melatonin as a result.
How can I make waking up on winter mornings easier?
There isn’t a lot that can be done about the mornings getting darker, but experts from StressNoMore do suggest some ways in which waking up can be made a little bit easier.
Routine can play a crucial role in making mornings feel less sluggish.
The experts said: “Set yourself goals, opting to wake up during REM sleep or one minute earlier each day – slowly lowering your alarm time will make it easier for your body to adjust.”
Kick start your day with a shower to help wake yourself up and try to have a warm breakfast to combat the cold temperatures outside.
There are also products available that are designed to help with waking up in the mornings, such as “wake-up lights”.
The StressNoMore spokesperson said: “The soft white LED light can help tackle the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder by creating the perfect light intensity, triggering a chemical change in the brain responsible for lifting your mood.”