Get a good night’s sleep despite the deep freeze

We are into the Northern Michigan deep freeze. This year came like clockwork, but it came hard and fast.

I know I, for one, am having a hard time getting into the swing of things as we are plunged into the darkness of standard time and the silence of the frozen tundra.

Say so long to blue

This weather leads to long nights and a ton of time spent indoors, and that leads to using electronic devices that emit blue light. Blue light is a proven disruptor of melatonin — the hormone that regulates our sleep/wake cycle.

Turn off phones and laptops an hour before bed. This won’t just improve your sleep — studies show a connection between the overuse of phones to depression and anxiety.

Beat fatigue

Stay motivated. All this time inside can make it difficult to find the motivation to keep active and eat healthily.

Binging on comfort foods, especially in the evening, causes nutrient insufficiencies, which can keep you awake at night.

Lack of motivation and boredom create a vicious cycle making it more likely you are to make bad food choices.

See the light

Go outside! Try to catch as much of the sun as you can. Frolic in the snow with your kiddos and doggos. Our sleep/wake cycle is governed by light.

Darkness triggers the release of melatonin, while light produces cortisol — the stress hormone that helps us to wake up. If your chickens need light, so do you.

Keep cool

It is freezing out. It is warm and cozy inside. However, this heat can disrupt sleep. Central heating systems dry out the mucous membranes, make you more thirsty during the night and cause general discomfort.

Lower the temp in your bedroom and instead invest in duvets, blankets and breathable bed linen to help regulate your body temperature.

No quick fixes

Don’t over caffeinate. If you are feeling sluggish, it can be tempting to reach for a caffeinated drink or sugary snack, but both can disrupt sleep. You will get an energy boost, but it will be short-lived, and you will end up back at Biggby spending on a coffee.

If you are tired, take a quick nap of between 10 and 30 minutes.