As we are going deeper into autumn, the nights are longer, and the days are cooler. But how does autumn’s change in the weather affect our sleep? After the long, hot summer days we have been enjoying, our sleep patterns will certainly be affected by the upcoming changes of autumn and winter.
How Autumn Affects Our Sleep Patterns
Some people are affected significantly by autumn’s time change. The autumn equinox can disrupt our internal body clock, causing hypersomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness. Because there’s no more tilt relative to the axis of the Earth, the lengths of day and night become equal. While it’s a normal thing for people who live around the equator, it can be problematic for those who live in the northern and southern hemispheres. After the autumn equinox on 22 September, people in the northern hemisphere began to see shorter daytime hours. It takes time for our body to adjust and the internal clock will change as well.
Early exposure to sunlight boosts energy, wakefulness, and alertness, while less sunlight may trigger hypersomnia or Seasonal Affective Disorder on some people. However, if you sleep during the day, this could make it more difficult to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep longer. This is where blackout blinds can help as you can create an artificial night time during the day quickly and easily.
How Winter Affects Our Sleep Patterns
The effects of seasonal changes on sleeping patterns are more pronounced during winter. Darkness is an essential component for quality sleep and near perpetual darkness will surely wreak havoc on your sleep patterns. When it’s dark, the pineal gland will release melatonin to tell our body that it’s time to get some rest. You need to simulate daytime, by turning on most lights during the day at around 6 AM. Keep the interior of your home reasonably bright and start to dim the light at 6 PM. One hour before bedtime, most of the lights should be turned off to give your body a signal that it’s time to go to bed. Artificial indoor lighting will never replace natural light, but your internal clock will be better regulated. Blackout blinds can make this process easier as they enable you to choose when you want it to be dark in your bedroom.
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