Hibernate Like a Pro: Embracing Winter’s Restorative Sleep

Why do you need more rest in the winter? If there’s one thing we can all relate to, it’s the struggle to get enough rest, especially when it’s cold and dark outside.

There’s a scientific reason why you feel sleepier in the winter. It’s all about your internal clock, which is influenced by how much daylight you get. During the winter months, you get less sunlight, reducing your circadian rhythm and making you feel more tired. Winter is like the snooze button on your alarm clock – a signal to your body that it’s time to slow down and hibernate.

But you can’t hibernate like bears. As much as you might want to curl up in a cave and sleep for months, you have responsibilities and obligations requiring you to be awake and alert. So what’s the solution? You may need to take a page from the animal kingdom and adapt your sleeping habits to the winter season.

Bears don’t just sleep all winter because they’re lazy. They do it because they need to conserve energy and survive harsh conditions. So why can’t you do the same? I’m not suggesting you quit our job and become a professional sleeper, although that does sound like a pretty sweet gig. But maybe you can adjust our schedules and routines to make room for more rest.

So, instead of forcing yourself to stay up late and wake up early, why not embrace the darkness and go to bed earlier? You know what they say – early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Or at least less grumpy in the morning. And instead of filling your days with non-stop activity and stress, why not give yourself permission to slow down and take it easy? That could mean reading a book by the fire, taking a hot bath, or just curling up under a blanket and watching Netflix. If it’s good enough for a bear, it’s good enough for you.

You may think, “This all sounds great, but I can’t just put my life on hold for three months out of the year.” And you’re right; you can’t. But here’s the thing – taking care of yourself isn’t putting your life on hold. It’s ensuring you have the energy and focus on tackling your life head-on. It’s like the old airplane safety briefing – you must put on your oxygen mask before you can help others. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone or anything else.

So, commit to prioritizing your sleep and self-care this winter. Embrace your inner bear and permit yourself to rest, recharge, and rejuvenate. Whether that means getting more sleep, taking more naps, or just carving out some time to relax, make sure you take care of yourself to be at your best when it matters most.

And if all else fails, remember that winter is a great excuse to wear sweatpants and drink hot cocoa. Raise your mug to seasonal sleeping and to taking care of yourself in every season.