Back when our ancestors were hunting and gathering, the turn of the seasons was a mysterious and life-changing event. Nowadays, seasonal shifts usually just prompt us to put on or take off a layer of clothing and switch our coffee order from hot to iced.<\/p>\n
Even though we now have modern conveniences and technology that were inconceivable to our caveman forebears, our brains still function essentially the same way. That means that while you may not notice it, the change in seasons can dramatically affect your body, not least of all your ability to get a good night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n
First, a little planetary science. We experience seasons because of the Earth\u2019s\u00a0tilt<\/a>\u201423.4 degrees, to be exact. As we make our annual 365.25-day journey around the sun, this tilt, or obliquity, causes different parts of the globe to receive different amounts of sunlight. Those variations in light and heat are why we have summer, winter, spring, and fall\u2014and why the northern and southern hemisphere\u2019s seasons are opposite.<\/p>\n Just as Daylight Savings Time can\u00a0disrupt\u00a0our sleep in the short term, seasonal light fluctuations have a profound effect on our bodies in the long term. For starters, light is the chief\u00a0influencer<\/a>\u00a0of the body\u2019s production of melatonin, a\u00a0hormone<\/a> that plays a major role in regulating sleep\/wake cycles. As days get shorter or longer, melatonin levels can rise and fall. Those shifts may make it harder to fall asleep and wake up easily. In fact, light\u2019s melatonin-suppressing ability is why most electronic devices these days have a special screen filter for nighttime reading. (Here’s how to treat spring sleepiness<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Like light,\u00a0temperature<\/a>\u00a0also affects melatonin and is another leading factor in sleep quality. If the air is too cold, for example, melatonin production can suffer. But cranking up the thermostat isn\u2019t the answer either. A room that\u2019s overheated, in addition to being uncomfortable, can lead to dry nasal passages and leave you more vulnerable to colds and flu. Experts\u00a0recommend<\/a>\u00a0keeping bedroom temperature pegged at 60\u201367 degrees Fahrenheit overnight. Learn\u00a0how to sleep cool during the summer<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe role of light in sleep<\/h2>\n
Too hot, too cold, just right<\/h2>\n
Allergies and sleep<\/h2>\n