Winter may be one of the happiest seasons of the year, but did you know it could also mean you're getting less sleep? Changes in the weather, fewer hours of daylight, and indulging in holiday feasts can all lead to seasonal exhaustion.
And let’s face it, getting out of bed during the dark, cold mornings of winter can be challenging. So, what can you do to wake up feeling energized during the winter?
Read on to discover our top tips for facing your mornings with gusto this holiday season!
1. Don’t Neglect Your Body
We know how tempting it can be to set healthy eating and exercise to the side during the holidays. But it’s not just what you do right before bedtime that’s affecting the quality of your sleep. Everything that happens during the day has an impact on your nights!
For example, getting some physical activity in during the afternoon can actually make it easier to fall asleep. This means you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and energetic, instead of groggy and cranky. And exercise has also been shown to help you beat the blues during the winter months. Eating and drinking right also plays an important role in sleeping better. For restful nights, you should cut out caffeine at least four hours before bedtime. You can avoid tossing and turning by not eating too close to bedtime. And when you wake up, try drinking a full glass of water to jumpstart your metabolism and energy levels.
2. Set a Routine and Stick with It
It’s easy to blame the short days and cold nights of winter for your lack of energy. But chances are some of your habits are at least partially to blame. Poor sleep hygiene can have a huge impact on your ability to wake up feeling refreshed.
Your best bet for sleeping like a baby any time of year is to create a sleep schedule and stick with it. Yes, that means even on the weekends! Your body functions on a biological clock that depends on you falling asleep and waking up at the same times each day to run like a well-oiled machine.
To encourage better sleep, you need to ditch all electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime. That lack of blue light will help your body to produce the melatonin it needs for healthier sleep patterns and less grogginess in the mornings.
3. Add Some Light to Your Days
One of the biggest problems with waking up feeling energized in the winter is the lack of light in the morning. That’s because exposure to light is essential to waking your body up by. Sunlight stops the production of melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy.
Waking up to a dark room can leave your body feeling confused about whether you should still be asleep or not. So, what can you do in the dark winter months, when daylight comes later? Make your own sunlight, of course!
Luckily for us, technology has made healthy living easier. There are some amazing sleep gadgets out there, including smart lighting options. You can now pair smart bulbs with your cell phone’s alarm clock for automated light exposure (and less grogginess) in the morning.
4. Turn Your Bedroom into a Sleep Oasis
Last but definitely not least, if you want to wake up with more energy every day of the year, you need to invest in better sleep. That means taking the time to turn your bedroom into an oasis for sleep with comfier bedding and calming colors.
We’re here to help you get the sleep you need to thrive by upgrading your mattress without the hassle of dealing with a crowded mall. Lull has the best mattress deals online and we’ll even deliver your new bed right to your front door!