Sleepless summer nights? End your day with a cherry on top
13 Jun 2024 by Ted Escobedo 1 min read
• Daylight saving time. The most probable culprit is the extra sunlight exposure we tend to get in the evenings during the summer versus the winter. This is because light suppresses the body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that plays a role in signaling to the body that it’s time to sleep. So, if you’re still soaking up the sun late into the evening — or even under artificial lighting — rather than relaxing in a dimly-lit environment, melatonin won’t be released, and you’ll likely have a harder time falling asleep at your regular bedtime.
• Warmer weather. Higher temperatures during the summer can also wreak havoc on sleep. Under ideal conditions, your body temperature starts to fall by a couple of degrees about one to two hours before bedtime in preparation for sleep.
So, what can you do to help improve your summer sleep? Eat cherries. With high amounts of melatonin, studies have shown that it can help with increased sleep time and overall sleep efficiency. You'll also find vitamin A, vitamin C and magnesium in cherries, making it a good option to incorporate into your diet.
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- Complementary Therapies