Feeling tired lately? It’s not laziness!
It’s NORMAL to need a little more sleep as the days get shorter.
And it’s not just in your head…
Researchers at Charité Medical University of Berlin tracked sleep across all four seasons and found that people get about 30 more minutes of REM sleep in winter than in summer.
One reason? Our bodies respond to changes in light throughout the year.
The light around us changes throughout the day: brighter and bluer in the morning, then warmer and dimmer as the sun goes down.
But when the days get shorter, you have fewer hours of bright daytime light and more hours of darkness.
That can mean feeling less alert during the day and feeling ready to wind down earlier at night.
Since you probably can’t restructure your entire schedule around the sun, here are a few things that can help:
- Go to bed a little earlier. This was actually one of the recommendations from the researchers behind the study above.
- Get outside in the morning. Natural light can help set your internal clock.
- Dim your lights after dinner. Warm, low light mimics sunset and can help signal that the day is winding down.
- Cut back on screens before bed. Blue light from TVs, phones, and other screens can suppress melatonin, an important sleep hormone.
- Keep your bedroom cool. Cooler temperatures are generally better for sleep.
And sleep matters!
While it might look like your body is doing absolutely nothing while you’re asleep, it’s actually pretty busy—recovering from the day, clearing waste from the brain, and getting you ready to do it all again tomorrow.
If you’re ready to keep things simple and focus on what works, our San Jose Personal Trainers are here to help you find a sustainable, simple route to your goals. Fill out the "Get Started" box above to receive your free consultation with our caring San Jose personal trainers OR call us 408-371-1212 to connect. We're looking forward to talking with you!
Make it an amazing day,
The Method3 Fitness Team
Method3 Fitness is conveniently located in San Jose. Our team serves clients in Los Gatos, Campbell, Willow Glen, and other surrounding Bay Area cities.
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The Method3 Fitness blog is updated weekly with tips from our team. All content is designed to improve the way you move, eat, and think so you can achieve your goals and live stronger for today. Check back each week and LIKE our Fan Page to stay up to date on the latest tips, strategies, and methods to get active, gain energy, and get healthy again!