Do You We Need More Sleep in Winter? page

[Neely]

Hi, I have always thought that it was somewhat unnatural forcing yourself out of bed when it is dark outside in the morning. Surely it might have been an advantage for the likes of Grok to conserve energy when food was scarce in the winter. A sort of mini-hibernation. Any thoughts or evidence on this?

[Uncephalized]

It's not just that food is scarcer--humans have really crappy night vision and we're more likely to fall off of something high or get eaten by something that can see us when we can't see it, if we do too much wandering around in the dark.

But that said, you should sleep whatever amount feels natural and leaves you energetic and well-rested. Go to bed early and wake up naturally, no matter what time of year it is.

[Alex Good]

humans have really crappy night vision

Speak for yourself. On an average night my eyesight is about as good as it is in the day. On cloudy nights it gets a bit worse but it's still completely manageable.

[Uncephalized]

Speak for yourself. On an average night my eyesight is about as good as it is in the day. On cloudy nights it gets a bit worse but it's still completely manageable.

Whatever, dude. I know you think you are a superhero but thinkin' don't make it so. You simply do not have the same level of night vision as a leopard does.

[Diana Renata]

Whatever, dude. I know you think you are a superhero but thinkin' don't make it so. You simply do not have the same level of night vision as a leopard does.

Bingo. Superheroes like Alex aside, we're not nocturnal creatures by nature.

I find it's easier to wake up when there is sunlight, which means in the winter I end up sleeping too late in the morning unless I artificially fool myself with a lamp set on a timer to come on at the same time every morning, all year long. I do find myself getting more sleepy earlier as the sun sets earlier.

I think we do probably need extra sleep during the winter. Not only is food more scarce, but for many of us it's COLD. Keeping warm can sap a lot of energy. It might not be a drastic difference in hours, but yes, I do think there's a difference in how much sleep we need from summer to winter.

[valmason01]

In the last couple of years I have become much more sensitive to the changing systems. I think we do need more sleep, particularly in the colder climes. I live in Florida and we have had some cold winters recently, at least cold for us. So yes, I think you are on to something

[Alex Good]

Whatever, dude. I know you think you are a superhero but thinkin' don't make it so. You simply do not have the same level of night vision as a leopard does.

Autism.
Hypersensitive hearing: Those things meant to drive off dogs? They hurt.
Hypersensitive vision: I can see in the dark. Need I say more?
Hyposensitive touch: Pain doesn't stop me. Although for some reason I seem to feel whatever touches my body hair. It doesn't hurt but it's wierd considering I feel almost nothing when I shave.

So yeah, for all intents and purposes (especially when you consider that I also happen to be a genius who has been compared to sherlock holmes (by people who overestimate, yes, but it gives you a general idea of my intelligence)) I AM a superhero. Or at the very least a potential action hero.

[Jer37208]

lol really? you're probably just magnesium deficient

[Alex Good]

lol really? you're probably just magnesium deficient

Me? Nope, I was actually diagnosed with autism (as well as a bunch of other crap). I was tested for the hypersensitivities and I know about the hyposensitivity because other than the trained response elicited by my mothers constant panic attacks, burning myself has no effect. Well, there was physical damage but I still didn't feel it. So yeah, after overcoming my trained fear of fire I'll be able to stick my hand into a fire and watch it burn off. No, I'm not going to do that.

[Knifegill]

Autism.
Hypersensitive hearing: Those things meant to drive off dogs? They hurt.
Hypersensitive vision: I can see in the dark. Need I say more?
Hyposensitive touch: Pain doesn't stop me. Although for some reason I seem to feel whatever touches my body hair. It doesn't hurt but it's wierd considering I feel almost nothing when I shave.

Yes, pest repellents are painfully loud. Other people can't hear them, and have no idea what I'm talking about. I also have amazing night vision. It's nice to have another around to talk to!

Ha-ha, martial arts people get so frustrated when my "pressure points" yield no reaction. Had a guy hook my jaw below the ear and I just looked at him like, "Is that supposed to bother me?" He was so weirded out he didn't want to play anymore. Same for the fingernail thing. Go ahead. Tear the whole thing off. Doesn't really bother me enough to stop me from doing whatever else I'm focused on.