Its getting cold, the motivation to get up in the morning is slowly getting harder and harder. It is so much more appealing to snuggle in your warm cosy bed on these Winter mornings due to the darkness and the cool temperature. Its 6am when it feels like about 4am! If you are someone who would normally get up super early to go exercise and finding it hard to get going in the morning, there are reasons for this!
A lack of light – Limited sunlight in winter creates changes to your body’s melatonin levels and disrupts your circadian rhythm – your built in body clock that regulates the periods of sleepiness and wakefulness. Melatonin is a hormone that helps control the rhythm. The amount of light impacts the pineal gland which is located in the brain and secretes melatonin, therefore less sunlight means the body produces more melatonin leading to increased sleepiness.
The days are getting shorter, getting lighter later in the morning and the sun is pretty much gone by 5pm. Light reduced days can actually lead to increased depression, a condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or also known as winter depression. Generally sufferers become more light a hermit and hibernate and become less social, eat more and are less active. In fact the very opposite that is required to help elevate mood such as serotonin production. Also the sunlight provides Vitamin D and lower levels of Vitamin D effects serotonin production, a hormone also responsible for our awake and asleep cycle to function properly, regulate mood and appetite.
If you are feeling sluggish and the motivation appears to be on the decline, I want to encourage you that this is a very normal way to feel coming into the Winter months. However, this doesn’t mean that everything you have worked so hard for has to change. Remember your goals, what you wish to achieve. If it even helps, write them down! You will find if you push through and get up when the alarm goes off at 5am, remember how good it feels to achieve what you set out to do, whether it be to catch up on household chores, do a workout to feel amazing for the day or get organised in general for the day ahead.
Tips:
- Write down your goals and what you want to achieve, fitness, organisation, positive affirmations, motivation….
- Set the alarm, and do not hit that snooze button!
- Allow at least 1-2 mornings when you do not need to set an alarm.
- Eat warming nourishing meals such as soups, broths and casseroles that nourish your body and support your digestive and immune health.
- Keep your meals simple so there is no need to stress over it being dark and dinner not on the table.
- Move your body, even if it is dark, watch the sunrise and enjoy its beauty!
- Enquire about Naturopath support to help improve your immunity, digestive function and energy production to keep you motivated throughout the cooler months. Head to the contact page and get in touch today!