Do you need more sleep in winter?

If you’re observant, you might have noticed that you feel more tired during the winter. Perhaps you’re putting it down to darker mornings and evenings, or the cold. Or maybe you’re wondering whether you actually need more sleep in winter, and that’s why you can’t shake off the fatigue.

It’s a good idea to learn, since sleep is intrinsically linked to our health and wellbeing.

In this article, we’ll determine whether or not you need more sleep in the winter and, if so, why.

I feel more tired. Do I need more sleep because it is winter?

There are a number of reasons you might feel more tired in the winter. Less light, thermostat alterations, too much comfort food and more stress are all contributing factors to our energy levels, and these all happen as the winter sets in.

So yes, you’re right, you probably do need more sleep, because you probably genuinely do feel more tired. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do several things to make yourself feel more energised and stop the exhaustion.

The only thing you can’t control about it is the way your circadian rhythm reacts.

What is a circadian rhythm?

When we were cave people, our energy levels followed the sun. That means we have evolved to wake and sleep with the sun. In the winter, when the sun rises later and sets earlier, our body’s circadian rhythm, which tells us we should be asleep when it’s dark, gets confused. Staying up many hours past sunset can make us feel incredibly tired, and this is probably the main reason you feel more exhausted in the winter months.

Lack of light in the winter can lead to genuine conditions, because our bodies are built to enjoy it. Seasonal Depressive Disorder is a real and genuine thing. Doctors recommend making a point of getting more sunlight, so going for a walk in your lunch hour, for example, to combat its effects.

Comfort food in the winter

So you can’t control your circadian rhythm, but you can control what you eat. In the winter months, we tend to turn to carbs to make us feel comforted. The issue is that carbs are energy sappers, so they might be making you feel more tired.

Carbs also settle on the stomach and can disrupt our sleep without us even realising it is happening.

Finally, carbs lead to weight gain, and overweight people are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders like sleep apnea.

Try monitoring and regulating your calorie intake. Pay particular attention to your macros. If you’re eating too many carbohydrates, try to swap some out for protein and healthy fats.

We’re more stressed in the holidays

The holidays, or their approach, tend to make us feel more stressed. When we are stressed, this typically impacts our sleep quality. Insomnia and sleep deprivation naturally make us feel more exhausted.

If you’re feeling stressed this holiday season, try delegating some of your tasks to other people, meditating, or going a little easier on yourself. Nobody wants to spend cold winter nights laying awake in bed worrying.

Leave your thermostat alone

We know, it’s cold. You might think about turning up your heating, or leaving it on for longer each day, but be careful. Drastic temperature changes can wreak havoc on your body and impact your sleep, so if you turned your thermostat up recently, you might need to consider turning it slightly lower going forward.

When we lay down, our bodies cool down. When we get up, our bodies warm up. If you mess around too much with the temperature in your house, it can disrupt this process.

Keep the temperature in your home steady, and allow your body to cool down at night, or you might find your sleep disrupted and your energy levels low.

It is worth investing in a mattress that regulates your body temperature.

Start with a mattress

Not all mattresses were created equal. Some regulate body temperature.

Ely mattresses are made from natural materials, which means they wick away moisture if you sweat, and because they’re made from horse hair, wool and cotton, they are breathable, which means they allow air to circulate. This regulates your body temperature, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter in the most natural way possible.

Ely mattresses are also naturally hypoallergenic, and because they are made from natural materials, they are extremely durable. They come with a thirty night sleep trial and interest free finance.

We’ll even take away your old mattress and recycle it.

If you’re ready to shop, please visit our online store.

If you want to know more about our amazing mattresses and how they can give you a better night of sleep, read about our thirteen layers.