How to Sleep Better This Winter
It might seem like getting a good sleep in the winter should be easy. It’s dark and cold and snuggling up under a blanket and going to sleep should be easy, right? However, in reality, a lot of people can have trouble sleeping during the winter months. If you want to do a good bear imitation and hibernate (at least overnight) this winter, here are some tips.
Get Sunlight in the Morning
There’s less daylight in the winter, and that can make it more difficult to sleep. The reason being is that sunlight makes your body suppress melatonin production. Melatonin helps your body sleep. Your body starts to produce it when it gets dark, as a way of getting ready for sleep. In the summer months, this usually happens an hour or two before you head to bed. However, in the winter, it could be dark a long time before you go down for the night.
Getting some sunlight in the morning (even if that means sitting by a window) can help you wake up in the morning and regulate your body clock, making it easier to sleep at night.
Go for a Walk Outside
Getting fresh air, exercise, and daylight during the day make it easier to sleep at night. Going for a walk during your lunch break, for instance, can make it easier to fall asleep in the evening. Any sort of exercise can help you sleep better. This is because you’ll expel extra energy during the day, so you’ll be more tired when it comes to bedtime.
Eat Well
Eating too much or too close to bedtime, or eating foods that are high in salt or sugar in the evening, can make it tough to sleep. Eat a wide variety of healthy foods and you’ll be more likely to avoid heartburn, stomach pain, and other issues that can make it difficult to sleep at night. Limit alcohol before bed as well, since it can interfere with sleep.
Don’t Overheat your Home
The winter is often very cold, but turning up the heat too high can make it tough to sleep. Your body naturally tries to cool itself down to make it easier to fall asleep. However, if you have the heat cranked up very high, it can make it more difficult to get a good night’s rest.
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