How to wake up when it's dark outside

As winter rolls around, the days get shorter and the mornings get darker. When this happens, it can be much harder to get out of bed when you first wake up.

Our bodies work according to the sun’s natural rise and fall each day. This is known as the circadian rhythms and it’s why we wake up in the mornings and go to sleep during the night time.

Our circadian rhythm is controlled by an area of the brain known as the pineal gland. The eyes interpret the amount of light entering the pupil and this sends a signal to the pineal gland, which responds appropriately.

When there is minimal light entering the pupils, the pineal gland will ramp up melatonin production, causing you to become sleepy. The opposite happens when there is a lot of natural light entering the pupils, such as during the daytime.

How to wake up when it’s still dark outside

So, what does all of this mean for you? If you’re struggling to wake up properly in the mornings while it’s still dark outside, it’s because your pineal gland isn’t receiving the signal to stop the production of melatonin.

Luckily, there are things that you can do to overcome this common winter-related problem. Here are some great tips that you can try:

• Turn on the lights when you first wake up. Some lamps even mimic natural light.
• Begin your day with some light exercise to help you wake up
• Increase your vitamin D through your diet or by going outside more often during the daytime. You can also speak to your healthcare provider about Vitamin D supplements
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule