Spring's effects on our sleep

Spring has sprung, which means it’s time for brighter days, warmer weather and a change in your sleeping patterns. Spring can have a significant impact on our sleep, but this change isn’t always for the better. Although most of us are able to bounce back to our regular shut-eye schedule, spring makes it harder for some. So, why does spring affect our body and sleep?

Generally, weather changes can ultimately affect our ability to sleep properly. Changes in humidity, atmospheric pressure, and temperature influences joint and nerve pain, which may hinder our ability to comfortably sleep. If you live in a city where seasonal weather changes drastically, you might experience more physical pain. And if you’re thinking about taking pain medication, it’s important to note that some common pain meds have levels of caffeine and various stimulants in them. 

We all know that spring means daylight saving time and “springing forward”. Losing that hour of sleep plays a vital role in spring fatigue. For most of us, it takes about a day or two in order to adjust to this time change. However, according to the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, young adults had slower reaction times and stayed tired a week following daylight savings. 

Losing an hour, usually during our sleep also affects our circadian rhythm, meaning our bodies are thrown off. Chemically, this shift may also alter how and when melatonin is being produced in our systems. Along with the melatonin imbalance, we lose sunlight in the morning. Yes, we have more light in the afternoons, but waking up with less natural light plays a negative role in sleep quality. It typically takes only a couple days to readjust to a new spring schedule, but planning ahead can help with this process.

Daylight savings isn’t the only cause of spring fatigue. Allergies are another culprit. If you’re one of the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, you’ll know how a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and irritated throat feels like in the springtime. Sometimes you toss and turn, cough all night, and even lose hours of sleep because you're so uncomfortable. The solution to this problem is usually antihistamines, which can often cause drowsiness and over sleeping, or decongestants, which contain stimulating properties.

Although it seems like there’s no winning with allergies, spring cleaning could help your allergy problems. Your bedroom is the place that should be spotless of dust and stuffy air. Ensure that your room is dust free, and change out furnace filters for cleaner air. Also, keeping the windows closed and showering before bed rids your room of all the pollen and toxins from outside that may have accumulated throughout the day. Spring cleaning seems simple but is highly effective to avoid springtime sleep troubles. 

Spring can bring a host of challenges when it comes to sleep, but snoring doesn’t have to be one of them! Checkout our latest sale on snoring solutions, and start sleeping better this spring.  

References

1. https://amerisleep.com/blog/weather-influences-sleep/
2. https://bettersleep.org/blog/spring-fatigue/
3. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/reason-daylight-savings-time-can-give-you-jet-lag
4. https://bettersleep.org/blog/allergies-and-sleep/