Shorter, darker days are upon us as we dive into the winter season, and so is the tendency to catch more zzzs.
Although we as humans cannot hibernate, we do however need more sleep. New research suggests that during the colder months, sleep patterns should be adjusted seasonally.
An analysis was conducted on various individuals. The sleep studies found that people get more REM (rapid eye movement) sleep in the winter.
While total sleep time appeared to be about an hour longer in the winter than in the summer, this result was not considered statistically significant.
However, REM sleep – known to be directly linked to the circadian clock, which is affected by changing light – was 30 minutes longer in the winter than in summer.
According to the researchers, human body clocks are set by the sun and change day length and light exposure over the course of the year which can affect an individual’s sleep duration and quality.
“Seasonality is ubiquitous in any living being on this planet. Even though we still perform unchanged, over the winter human physiology is down-regulated, with a sensation of ‘running-on-empty’ in February or March. Societies need to adjust sleep habits including length and timing to season, or adjust school and working schedules to seasonal sleep needs,” says Dr Dieter Kunz, study author and clinical psychiatrist and sleep researcher at St Hedwig Hospital, Berlin.
Health and wellness expert, Vanessa Ascencao said the latest research adds to a growing body of evidence, stressing the importance of getting good quality sleep. A lack of sleep has been shown to be detrimental to day-to-day functioning and long-term health. Sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea which affect sleep quality are common in South Africa, yet severely underdiagnosed.
“Create an optimal sleep environment by removing devices from the bedroom and keeping the room cool and dark. Nourish the body with the best quality food and nutrients, get daily movement or exercise and reduce caffeine and sugar. Stop eating three hours before bed. Try meditation or yoga and high-quality natural supplements such as BetterYou Magnesium Oil Sleep Transdermal Spray and Bach Rescue Remedy Night drops,” said Ascencao.
“BetterYou Magnesium Oil transdermal spray is one of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium. It helps you achieve a longer, deeper sleep while reducing cortisol and increasing melatonin. Bach Rescue Remedy Night contains flower essences like White Chestnut to help naturally calm a restless mind providing relief for sleeplessness caused by stress or repetitive thoughts,” added Ascencao.
Also see: How hyperpigmentation affects black skin during winter
