Why Sleeping in Alaskan Summers in Difficult

Alaska is a very large state that covers a lot of ground. It is particularly large from north to south, spanning more than 1300 miles. This large difference creates different light patterns between the south and the north that can make sleeping anywhere in Alaska a challenge. Continue reading to find out more about the transition to Alaskan summers and what you can do to mitigate the associated challenges. 

The amount of preparation for a summer and potential effects depend upon a few factors, including: 

• How far north you are
• How sensitive you are to light
• Existing measures you have taken to normalize your circadian rhythm during the winter 

• • Using light therapy
  • Maintaining pre-sleep rhythm
  • Having consistent exercise and eating/drinking habits
  • Vitamin D therapy

Why Alaskan Summers Can Be Bad for Sleep

Alaskan summers would be bad for sleep because there is a lot of light. Like the extreme darkness of the winter, a lot of light can inhibit normal melatonin production, which can disrupt your circadian rhythm.

Unfortunately, a lot of light also has the added effect of being physically disruptive for sleep. You have to physically try and block the light out of your room, because it always feels like daytime.

Furthermore, there is an odd pressure many of us feel to get so much done in the summer because we have been cooped up all winter – Alaskan’s who are not “winter people” may struggle with this more.

Ways to Adjust Sleep During Alaskan Summer

The transition from summer to winter can be particularly hard for several reasons:  potential for change in habits, activities, and socializing. Also, your circadian rhythm cycle may have adjusted to the environment (darkness) and is now required to respond to different cues.

Some ways to help adjust are:

• Use light therapy in winter and early spring
• When you stop using light therapy, start using blackout curtains in your room
• Invest in good blinds to use in common rooms you spend time in to be used in the evening
• Try and get as much fresh air (walks are good!) as possible after work
• Try and be aware of how your habits change during the winter-summer transition, and ease yourself into the “summer norm”
• Importantly, try and keep the same sleep schedule and routine

The reality is that seasonal insomnia or sleep disorders may be very difficult for you to prevent or mitigate. If you have tried everything and are still struggling, feel free to talk to us.

Don’t Forget About Winter: Alaskan Winters Can Be Difficult Too!

Contrary to what you might initially expect, the long darkness is not always conducive to sleep. In Alaska’s dark winters, many people regularly struggle with:

• Insomnia
• Circadian rhythm disorders

Why? For one, the extreme darkness can profoundly affect us in many ways:

• Emotionally – struggle with seasonal depression?
• Physiologically – get a lot less activity
• Habitually – many of your living and work habits will be entirely different in summer/winter
• Sociologically – notice that you start to spend a lot of time closer to home during the winter?

Secondly, melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep) responds to light/darkness changes. Lacking light means lacking those cues and changes.

Some people are very good about maintaining consistent social lives, habits, and emotional equilibrium, but many of us aren’t. In all cases, such changes can make it hard to sleep normally.