ANCSLEEP BLOG

Wildfires are an increasingly devastating and recurring natural disaster that affects numerous regions around the world. Beyond the immediate threat to life and property, wildfires also have far-reaching consequences that extend to our health and well-being. One area significantly impacted by these raging infernos is sleep. In this article, we delve into the relationship between wildfires and sleep, exploring the various ways in which these catastrophic events can disrupt our restful slumber and offer some tips to mitigate their effects.

Alaskan winters are characterized by a lot of darkness. This makes it easier to go to sleep at night, but waking up can be a struggle. However, if you work a standard 8-5 job, are in school, or do anything that requires you to wake up energized, then these dark mornings may be quite the struggle. Here are a few things you can do to help you wake up energized, even if it's dark and cold outside. 

Why the Impending Darkness Affects Circadian Rhythm

It’s no secret that we are living under unique circumstances in Alaska: lots of light over the past few months, and lots of darkness to look forward to for the next six months. Though it might seem counter intuitive, winter in Alaska actually makes sleep more difficult for many people, especially as you move further north.

Simply put, the excess darkness can be extremely disruptive to three things that are essential for the onset of sleep:

• Ability to get daylight
• Ability to be physically active
• Hormone levels

Thus, there are many ways for your circadian rhythm to be negatively affected as winter approaches. It is crucial to understand this before preparing for and preventing insomnia as we head into winter because you need to know what and how to prevent it. Let’s look at circadian rhythm more closely.

Why Alaskan Winters Can Be Bad for Sleep

Much of the year in Alaska, we live in either the extreme darkness or extreme lightness. These extreme lighting conditions affect our lives in many different ways:

Alaskan Summers, Lots of Light, Little Sleep

Alaskan summers can make having a sleep schedule feel impossible. If you’re reading this, you are likely one of those people.

It’s not just the sun/twilight that burns throughout the night. Alaskan summers can make it hard for many reasons, including:

• Sunlight or light all night long
• Influx of shift work during the summer, such as fishing, construction, etc.
• Pressure to pack in a full schedule in the short summer season
• Transitioning from Alaskan winters
• Pressure to be soaking up as much sunlight as possible

Of course, we all (in Alaska) struggle with light different based on:

• How far north you are
• How sensitive you are to light
• What existing measures you take to ensure good sleeping habits

Signs That You Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep

Summers and Winters in Alaska can both be hard on getting enough sleep. The extreme lighting conditions don’t provide the transition from light to dark and dark to light in the morning/evening that prompts us to get tired and wake up. Because of this, setting a good sleep routine can be extremely hard.

Some signs your sleep schedule isn’t working are:

• Never feeling like you get enough sleep – can’t fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up too early
• General performance loss in many important areas of life (work, relationships, etc.)
• Chronic daytime fatigue
• Being unable to stay awake during the day
• Sudden onset of sleep-readiness at an odd hour during the day
• Uncharacteristic memory trouble
• Concentration problems
• Chronic brain fog
• Chronic headaches in the morning
• Increased anxiety that is not normal
• Depression
• Uncharacteristic mood troubles

If these symptoms hit or worsen during our winters and summers in Alaska, it may be related to a sleep disorder, such as insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders. If you feel this way all the time, then you have an issue with your sleep schedule. Continue reading for five ways to set a good sleep schedule. 

Why Alaskan Winters Can Be Bad for Sleep

Much of the year in Alaska, we live in either the extreme darkness or extreme lightness. These extreme lighting conditions affect our lives psychologically, physiologically, habitually, emotionally, and sociologically.

Contrary to what you might think, the long darkness affects our lives in ways that aren’t conducive to sleep. Perhaps you suspect that you have developed a sleep disorder or your existing sleep disorder is worsening.

However, what may actually be happening is your sleep is distorted because of the difference in architecture of the day. This means that we have to work harder to maintain a normal sleep schedule in winter. The good news is that there are many tricks to you can use to help maintain a normal sleep schedule, though some people will need more direct intervention from sleep specialists or healthcare practitioners.  

Unique Challenges of Alaska

Living in Alaska poses unique sleeping challenges most months out of the year. Other than a few months  between “spring” and “fall” in Alaska, we are dealing with darkness that lasts most, or all, of the day, or light that lasts most, or all, of the night.

Alaskan Winter Darkness Means Big Internal Changes

Alaskans’ sleeping schedules are unique. While it sounds reasonable to think, “Summer in Alaska is for long, fun days and winters are for lots of sleep,” it’s actually not quite that simple. As you go further north, things get even more complex. Our extreme lighting conditions affect our lives in many different ways that can be incredibly disruptive to sleep.

The reason our sleeping schedules are affected by lighting changes is because extreme lighting and weather conditions affect our lives:

• Sociologically
• Psychologically
• Physiologically
• Habitually

Many of us are completely different people in summer and winter, with different sleeping patterns, different workout patterns, social patterns, and so on.

Especially in the winter, many of Alaskans have mental, cognitive, or emotional responses to the total darkness, and their behavior changes alongside. Those who are not into winter activities like skiing, skating, etc. are at a higher risk of experiencing these changes.   

Why the Impending Darkness Affects Circadian Rhythm

It’s no secret that we are living under unique circumstances in Alaska, about half of the year it is dark, and the other half of the year it is light. Though it might seem counterintuitive, winter in Alaska makes sleep more difficult for many people, especially as one travels north.

Excess darkness can be extremely disruptive to three things aspects that are essential for the onset of sleep:

• Ability to get daylight
• Ability to be physically active
• Hormone levels

As the winter season approaches, it's crucial to be aware of the various factors that can hurt your circadian rhythm. By understanding these factors, you can effectively prepare for and combat insomnia during this time of year. Delving deeper into the causes and effects of circadian rhythm will enable you to take the necessary steps to safeguard against its disruption. Let's delve into the fascinating world of circadian rhythm.