Do you struggle to get out of bed during the winter months? There is a scientific explanation…

According to the conclusions research in Berlin, people need more sleep in winter.

292 participants completed sleep studies that showed that REM sleep (the fifth stage of sleep, characterized by light sleep and muscle relaxation) lasts longer during these months. The total sleep time was about an hour longer in winter than in summer. Specifically, REM sleep has been found to last 30 minutes longer in winter.

If the results are also to be evaluated by other experts, the researchers said, then societies should adjust sleep habits and sleep duration according to the season, or adapt school and work schedules to seasonal sleep needs.

It is noted that during REM sleep, brain activity increases, and people can dream. However, the researchers stressed that the study should be repeated in people who do not have sleep problems. In fact, they estimate that the changes (due to the season) may be even greater in healthy people.

In this particular study, 292 participants underwent polysomnography, which is routinely performed on patients with sleep disorders. Participants were asked to sleep in a special laboratory, without an alarm clock. While they slept, the researchers monitored the quality, type, and duration of their sleep.

Source: Guardian