Whew. I like to sleep, I’ll tell you. Most of the time, I get around five hours on any given day. It is not enough, I know. But I’m not sure when I can fit more sleep into my schedule.
Oftentimes, it seems like fall and winter are the best times for sleep. At least it feels that way to me.
But do we really need more sleep in fall and winter? The short answer is probably.
I recently read an article in Popular Science concerning this topic. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) did the research on this. Overall, they said that we naturally tend to sleep more in winter, as the weather generally gets colder in the fall.
They have found this to be true following a couple of theories as to why. One is that when the days are shorter, our melatonin levels are higher. Many of us already know that melatonin is a naturally produced hormone in our bodies. It is the thing that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. But having too much of it can make us drowsy. Too much can also reduce our energy levels, causing us to want to sleep longer.
The other is that there’s more disruption to our circadian rhythm. That circadian rhythm is the body’s natural 24-hour clock, which regulates our sleep-wake cycle. As daylight hours get shorter, our circadian rhythm shifts. This can throw off our sleep schedules and lead to excess fatigue.
It keeps going. The reason for our sleepy wintertime ways. We tend to spend more time indoors in winter as opposed to warmer months. This means we are getting less natural light. This disconnects us from nature’s rhythms and can shift our natural sleep patterns.
Here is a good reason to stay with Standard Daylight Time. You see, when mornings are dark, it’s more difficult to get out of bed. That morning sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythm and signals our bodies to wake.
But here is something very cool. Data published in 2023 in the scientific journal Frontiers in Neuroscience shows that people experience longer REM sleep in winter than they do in summer. For those who do not know, REM is the fourth and final stage of the sleep cycle, which is when most dreaming occurs. REM sleep is essential to healthy brains, mood regulation, and mental clarity.
In short, while our bodies might not have a biological need for more sleep in winter, changes in daylight, diets, temperatures, and moods often make us want to stay in bed longer. Which is OK. The experts say this is all fine and good, but it is best to stick to a schedule.
While we don’t have to think about this for about four more months, we may as well start planning now. Personally, I like the winter sleep so much more than summer. I’ll pick winter anytime for that reason. Dream a little dream…
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“Sleep is the best meditation.” — Dalai Lama
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“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.” — Thomas Dekker
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“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.” — E. Joseph Cossman
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“No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.” — Carrie Snow
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