Researchers note that summer nights are preferable to winter ones
Most people love summer. But, according to scientists, this time of year is also characterized by stable sleep. “If light doesn't have a strong impact on us during the day, the brain may not always recognize that it needs to sleep at night,” the researchers explain.
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«In the summer we sleep a little less, from 20 to 30 minutes. And this is probably due to the fact that we sleep better,” — decided sleep researcher Birgitte Rabeck-Cornum.
Among other things, she refers to a study in which American scientists analyzed the sleep of a group of students at home and on an outdoor camping trip.
“There are no students on campus all day. In the evening they sit around the fire without phones. And during the week when they are away, teens report that their sleep is much more stable and slightly shorter,” — explains researcher Birgitte Rabek Kornum.
Teenagers themselves report that they find it easier to fall asleep, wake up less often during the night and wake up earlier than usual, compared to the daytime sleep pattern when they spend more time indoors during lectures .
“The improvement in sleep is likely due to the amount of daylight they receive during the day. When there is a big contrast between night and day, we sleep better, wake up less and feel more rested,” — explains Rabek-Cornum.
According to sleep researcher Paul Jennum, when people are outdoors and exposed to a lot of sunlight, a substance in the brain called hypocretin is activated, which signals that a person is awake. This causes the brain to sleep more at night.
Research shows that when you have more light during the day, your internal clock becomes less sensitive to light in the evening. You simply get used to more light and can still produce melatonin even when it's quite bright outside.
«In the summer, you spend more time outdoors and exercise. You may also be eating a healthier diet, all of which can help you sleep better,» says Rabek-Cornum.
Although studies show that we sleep better in the summer, there is still a phenomenon that can interfere with a good summer sleep.
“A tropical night with temperatures above 25 degrees is really bad for sleep. You tend to wake up more often than if the bedroom were cool,” says Rabek-Kornum.
According to Paul Jennum, our body temperature usually drops by 0.6-0.8 degrees at night. A person slowly loses heat from the body until 4 am, when the temperature is lowest. Then it rises again towards the morning.
The Danish Health Authority recommends keeping the temperature in the room where you sleep between 18 and 21 degrees.
“You can, for example, lie down and cover yourself with a thin sheet. But how much heat we can tolerate at night is very individual. Some people can sleep under a thick duvet in the summer without any problems, while others sweat a lot. So the most important tip is to feel comfortable while sleeping,» advises Paul Jennum.