Alice,
I have always been a poor "getter-upper" in the mornings, but lately I
haven't even awakened when the alarm goes off. I just sleep right through
it and wake up at around noon. I have been missing classes regularly and
it's very distressing! I haven't been going to bed any later (I go to
sleep at around 2:30 or 3 AM and have since the beginning of school and I
used to wake up at around ten for my class). I haven't been eating or
exercising differently. Could this be a result of the shift in weather or
in the clocks? Does it take time for the body to adjust to the new
season?
----Sleepyhead
Dear Sleepyhead,
The only model Alice has for sleeping more in the winter is the bear,
which goes into hibernation. As far as humans are concerned,
there's seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a syndrome whereby individuals
are susceptible to depression during the winter months because a lack of
light disturbs the neurotransmitter systems. This is often counteracted by
increased exposure to stronger-than-normal indoor lighting or relocation
to more southern latitudes. However, there are many more symptoms of
seasonal affective disorder -- sleeping a lot being only one. Other
symptoms include:
- loss of appetite
- insomnia
- loss of interest in sex
- withdrawal from social contacts
- inability to concentrate
- focusing on negative thoughts and the bad things in life
If this sounds like you, you may want to see someone in Counseling and
Psychological Services (CPS). Call x4-2468 for an appointment.
If this doesn't sound like you, and you're just having trouble
getting up in the morning, here's some basic information about sleep.
Everyone has a sleep-wake cycle that corresponds to his or her optimum
degree of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Sleep researchers
believe that the majority of Americans are sleeping 60 - 90 minutes a
night less than the seven, eight, or nine hours that would leave them
refreshed and energetic during the day. Sleep is considered expendable,
and not sleeping very much is considered a sign of ambition and drive.
But, the truth is that adequate sleep enhances attentiveness,
concentration, mood, and motivation.
Here are some suggestions for creating healthful sleeping habits for
yourself:
- Establish a regular sleep time. Try going to sleep the same time each
night, and waking up the same time each day, within an hour, more or less.
Make an effort to keep the same sleep times on the weekends in order to
set your body's rhythm.
- Create a personal sleep environment -- dark, quiet, free of
distractions, and not too warm. Use an autotimer to shut the radio or TV
off after you have fallen asleep.
- Give yourself time to wind down before going to bed. This gives you a
transition from your energetic life to sleeping.
- Exercise regularly -- twenty to thirty minutes, three or four times a
week -- it can enhance your ability to sleep.
Sweet dreams!
- Alice
Related Q&As
- Vegetarian — Can't wake up in the morning
- Amount of sleep?
Go Ask Alice! is not an emergency or instant response service. If you are in an urgent situation, please click here to view a list of 24 hour support services and hotlines.
Can't wake up in the winter
