If the weather hasn’t always taken notice, spring has officially sprung. While this seasonal transition always brings with it some lightness and excitement, it can also have some effect on your sleep.
Here are some reasons why you might have trouble falling asleep and getting a good night’s sleep in early spring.
You are still under the influence of the clock change
If you set your clock one hour ahead on 13 March, you probably felt the after-effects the next day, and that one-hour shift could still be affecting your energy levels. Because even an hour’s delay is enough to disrupt your sleep patterns and make you feel tired and cranky.
That’s why some health professionals have long lobbied for us to abandon the clock shift. To give your body time to fully recover, try to go to bed a few minutes earlier than usual over the next few weeks. It can also help to adjust if you aim to make your home darker at night and lighter in the morning. Experts always recommend avoiding screens and TV just before bedtime, as the light they emit can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.
It is too hot in the bedroom
You may be looking forward to spring and excited that the weather is finally warming up and the sun is shining, but our bodies actually prefer cooler weather for sleep. That’s because the human body has evolved to become accustomed to temperatures dropping at night. That’s why when it’s cool, we feel sleepier. Our body’s core temperature tends to drop at night and rise during the day, so a lower bedroom temperature can promote deeper sleep. In other words, if you want to sleep well, a bedroom temperature of around 19 degrees Celsius is ideal.
You have spring fever
Spring is most often associated with rebirth and renewal. It’s when we start to come out of hibernation after winter. While it is good to be in this cocoon, the ‘feverish’ state that accompanies spring can lead to a degree of restlessness. If your mind is brimming with hopes and ideas, it can be hard to calm it down.
Any seasonal transition can affect sleep, and spring is no exception. Clock changes, warmer weather and bustling spring energies all contribute to restless sleep, but a few quick changes can help calm…