Our Bodies are Seasonal
For much of evolution, humans have naturally slept longer during darker months. A practice that is easily lost when living amongst artificial lighting.
Whilst we still have the long nights, we can use them to our advantage. Just bringing your normal bedtime forward 30–45 minutes can help brain and body get closer to its intended rest.
Let longer nights be your permission to sleep more.
Sometimes an earlier bedtime is all you need for restorative sleep.
If you want to go further here are three more ways we utilise the long nights:
1) Sunlight Sets the Metronome
Seek sunlight in the first hour of the day to anchor your body clock.
Aim for at least another 5–15 minutes of natural light outdoors throughout the day (cloudy is fine).
In the evening, favour warm, dim lighting.
2) Let Wildness into the Bedroom
Mimic the wild environment of your ancestors: quiet, cool, dark.
- Dark: Use an eye mask or blackout blinds to mimic true dark. Cover LEDs with blackout stickers.
- Cool: Keep your bedroom cooler to help your core temperature drop to support sleep.
- Clutter-free: Fewer objects, fewer cues to do anything except rest.
Enjoying our first snow in the mountains.
3) Try a Wild-Camp
A single night under the stars is a powerful reminder of natures ability to put the human body to sleep.
I challenge you to fight sleep as the birds stop singing and the sun slowly sets.
When you are surrounded by nature, without large screens and indoor lighting you make it easier for the body to respond to these natural cues for sleep.
Still Struggling to Sleep?
Blue light blocking glasses
Try 100% blue light blocking glasses when using screens outside daylight hours.
Hot bath
Use a hot bath, shower or sauna to heat the body in the evening. Paired with a cool room it can aid the gentle drift into sleep.
Mantra
Stay low-light, breathe through your nose.
Relax your body, from head to toes.
TLDR: Manage indoor lighting, sleep in a cool bedroom and seek morning sunlight.
Are you ready for a winter wild camp?
