Summertime is known for its warm weather and long, bright days. With so many extra hours of sunshine, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you prefer long walks in the park or swimming at the beach or local pool, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get outside and soak up some vitamin D.
However, did you know that many people have a hard time sleeping during the summer? If you’ve been waking up feeling more drained than when you went to bed the night before, it could be partly because of the season. Read on to learn 3 possible reasons you might be having a hard time drifting off at night and what you can do to get some quality rest!
Reason #1: Higher Temperatures
It’s important to try not to overheat during the dog days of summer. As outside temperatures soar, they also can heat up your home. This can be problematic for your system when it comes to falling asleep. If your bedroom is too warm, you’re more likely to have issues snoozing. In fact, one scientific study estimated that higher nighttime temps could potentially interrupt 50 to 58 hours of sleep per person annually.
To help your body’s core temperature drop enough to rest comfortably, you might want to put your bed near your air conditioner or fan. You can also try setting the thermostat to a lower number and check that your ceiling fan is blowing air down toward you instead of up or away.
Reason #2: Additional Daylight
All the extra sunrays you’re exposed to during the summer are notorious for interrupting your sleep cycles. Your circadian rhythm is the natural process that regulates your physical, mental, and behavioral changes over a 24-hour cycle. When you spend more time in the sun, it keeps you more energized and awake for longer, which can interrupt its usual patterns.
Plus, the added ultraviolet light you absorb can suppress your production of melatonin, a natural hormone that lets your body know when it’s time to zonk out. Closing the blinds at a certain time or installing blackout curtains to make it darker indoors can help you prepare for sleep at the usual time.
Reason #3: Interrupted Routines
Many people go on vacation or travel during the summer, which can also lead to an interrupted night’s rest. When you’re away from home, you’re less likely to adhere to the same routine before bed and might struggle to slip into dreamland. Not only that, but you might also have some jet lag to cope with if you’re in a different time zone than you’re used to.
Experts recommend that in these instances, you do your best to maintain your usual sleep cycle. To help your body keep its usual rhythm, try to always go to bed and wake up at the same time as you normally would during and after your trip.
Now that you know more about why you might be feeling more tired than usual, you can make the adjustments you need to get a whole night’s sleep!
About the Practice
At Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry, you benefit from two dentists who work together to provide a comprehensive range of services to improve your oral health. Whether you need basic preventative care or are concerned you’ve developed sleep apnea, they can help. They have devoted hundreds of hours to continuing education so you’re always sure to receive the most up-to-date treatments. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art equipment for enhanced comfort and more accurate results. If you’d like help getting quality sleep at night, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (904) 285-7711.