Summer can mess with your sleep cycle, according to experts.
"Summertime presents unique obstacles that we don't have a tendency to see during other seasons," said Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist known as the "sleep doctor" and fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Some of these include: more light, more heat and more socializing. One thing to avoid this time of year? Exercising too close to bed time.
Our core body temperature varies, but tends to be higher later in the day. "It rises until about 10:30 p.m. at night. Then it falls, and when it falls, that's a signal to your brain to release melatonin," Breus explained. Being outdoors in summer weather and hot indoor environments (like that sweaty group fitness room at the gym) can make it harder for us to cool down.
Exercising also raises the body's core temperature, and it can remain raised for hours after our workout ends, said Breus. "If you're too hot, you don't get the melatonin release and that can inhibit your sleep," he explained.
2 more things you should never do before bed.
0 comments