Just like how the sun sets later in the evening during winter, students also face delaying their bedtime and waking up late when they receive less daylight exposure. A recent study found that limited natural light exposure during winter affected students’ sleep patterns and pushed back their natural circadian cycle. It’s like a cloudy sky keeping the sun hidden for longer. The researchers recommend that getting outside in the morning, even on overcast days, can help prevent this circadian delay. It’s as if stepping out into the morning light chases away the nighttime drowsiness. So, wave goodbye to struggling with sleep and say hello to an improved sleep-wake cycle by embracing daylight! To learn more about this fascinating study, take a look at the published research!

A study measuring the sleep patterns of students found that students fell asleep later in the evening and woke up later in the morning during winter. Students also received less natural light exposure during the winter, when daylight hours on the campus are limited and the skies are notoriously overcast. The researchers believe this lack of daytime light exposure triggered the delayed winter bedtimes by ‘pushing back’ (or delaying) their natural circadian cycle. Getting outside in the morning, even on cloudy days, is the best way to prevent this circadian delay, they say.

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