Why does Winter make you sleepy?

When the weather gets cold many people find it difficult to wake up in the morning. They may also feel unusually tired lazy or sleepy throughout the day.

Interestingly this feeling is less common during other seasons. If you experience this problem in winter, you are not alone.  Millions of people around the world experience similar changes in their sleep habits.

According to sleep experts many people naturally tend to sleep longer during the colder months.

Do we need more

•Sleep during Winter?

Most adults are advised to get around 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night, regardless of the season.  However during winter many people feel that they need more sleep than usual.

A study conducted at St. Hedwig Hospital in Germany in February 2023 found that people may need more sleep during colder months.

Researchers observed that sleep was generally deeper during winter than in other seasons.

The study also found that people slept on average around one hour longer in winter than in summer.  However daily responsibilities and busy routines often prevent people from getting this extra sleep. As a result they may feel tired and sleepy during the day.

How does deep sleep affect your health?

Deep sleep plays an important role in overall health. It supports memory concentration mood and the immune system. The researchers also found that deep sleep lasted around 30 minutes longer during winter.

During this stage the brain remains active in important ways, and it is also an important part of the sleep cycle.

According to the researchers their findings suggest that sleep habits may change with the seasons.

This means going to bed earlier during winter could help people get enough rest.

They also explained that although people may follow almost the same sleep routine throughout the year the brain naturally responds to seasonal changes and may need more rest during colder months.

How does sunlight affect your sleep?

Sunlight plays an important role in controlling our body’s internal clock which helps determine when we feel sleepy and when we wake up.

When there is plenty of sunlight outside we usually feel more active and alert. As the sun sets and darkness increases our bodies gradually prepare for sleep.

Why do you feel sleepier when days are shorter?

Reduced sunlight can affect the production of melatonin a hormone that helps control the sleep cycle.

During winter when days become shorter and nights get longer the body may start producing melatonin earlier in the evening. This can make people feel sleepy sooner than usual.

Light affects both the duration and quality of sleep. Since winter brings longer periods of darkness our bodies may respond by increasing the need for sleep.

This is one reason why waking up early and staying active can feel more difficult during the colder months.