In the winter months there are fewer daylight hours and many of us experience a case of the winter blues. These seasonal blues can often leave us feeling low, lacking in energy and dreaming of a one-way trip to a sunny destination.
Whilst we can’t change the weather, there are some steps we can take to help beat the winter blues. From getting more sleep to maximising your natural light exposure and taking Vitamin D, our founder Jules Goldberg shares his expert tips. Try them out and discover which ones work for you.
Make the most of mood-boosting natural light
Natural light is essential for regulating our body clock and helps us feel good. If we spend too much time indoors our bodies can miss out on the signals that sunlight gives about when we should be awake and when we should be asleep. Spending more time outside, particularly in the morning to make the most of natural light, gives you an energy boost and tells your brain that it’s time to wake up.
Swap your standard alarm with Sleepwave’s smart alarm
Rather than waking you up at a fixed time, Sleepwave’s motion-sensing smart alarm is linked to your body movements. Set a 15-minute wake up window and the alarm will gently sound at a great moment when you’re primed to wake up well, helping to improve your start to the day.
Listen to your body, not the clock
When it comes to improving our overall well being and sleep, we should always listen to our bodies instead of watching the clock. If you’re feeling tired, there is no shame in winding down earlier in the evening to be in bed before your usual bedtime. Your body and mind will thank you for it the next day.
Check you’re getting enough sleep
Sleep is vital for our overall health and helps us process memories and emotions. It’s not uncommon to overestimate the amount of sleep you’re getting and lack of sleep can negatively impact our mood. Tracking your sleep with Sleepwave can help you find out how much you’re getting and encourage you to go to bed earlier.
Top up your Vitamin D
Vitamin D is produced naturally by our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight and helps regulate our mood. During winter, when there is less natural daylight, topping up this essential vitamin with a supplement and getting outdoors can be helpful for combating winter blues.
