Waking up before the sun could be harming your health, according to a new study.
Scientists in Melbourne, Australia said the act of getting up at ridiculous o’clock can cause ‘social jet lag’, which refers to the difference between when a person is forced to wake up and when they wake up naturally.
When the sun rises, the body’s melatonin - the hormone which helps people sleep - is naturally suppressed. At the same time, the body’s internal cortisol levels, which gives people energy, rise.
When a person is forced to wake up instead of waking up naturally, however, these hormones don’t work as they should.
This hormone imbalance can increase the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Depression
Thankfully there are ways to mitigate some of these risks, such as cutting out caffeine later in the day, eating a big breakfast to set you up for the day and using alarm clocks that simulate the sunrise.
10 Top Tips For An Amazing Sleep
Take A Tip From NASA(01 of10)
Open Image ModalBreathe Through Your Left Nostril(02 of10)
Open Image ModalHum(03 of10)
Open Image Modal“Another yoga technique that can help calm the mind and induce sleep is ‘Brahamarri, or ‘humming bee breath’,” says MacDonald.
“Lying down in bed, take a few deep breaths. Take the hands to the ears, elbows pointing out. Inhale through both nostrils and then exhale making a humming sound like a bee. Allow the length of the breath to extend naturally and without force, humming until the body is empty of breath and then inhaling again. Practice for five minutes each day.” (credit:Kay Blaschke via Getty Images)
Rethink Your Caffeine Curfew(04 of10)
Open Image ModalKeep A Sleep Diary(05 of10)
Open Image ModalKeeping a sleep diary can reveal just how much you’ve been sabotaging your own sleep patterns. On one page, record your sleep patterns, including how long it took you to get to sleep, how much you were awake during the night and how sleepy you felt the next day. Then, on the opposite page, make a note of any lifestyle factors, such as your coffee and alcohol intake, eating patterns, how much exercise you did, and the times of day you did them.
Over time, this should help you build a clear picture of how much sleep you need and the triggers that affect your sleep. That way you can tailor your sleep hygiene plan to meet your specific needs. (credit:George Doyle via Getty Images)
Exercise Every Day(06 of10)
Open Image ModalGet A New Bed(07 of10)
Open Image ModalRewind You Day(08 of10)
Open Image ModalDon't Worry About It(09 of10)
Open Image ModalTry Acupressure(10 of10)
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