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.
Alaska is a big state with differences in the amount of light that is emitted across the year. The southern parts of the state have light transitions that are uncomfortable, but not significantly different from the northern part of the lower 48. However, from Anchorage to the far north, the transition is very drastic, and as extreme as it gets.
How much you have to prepare for your transition, and how much it may affect you, largely depends upon:
On the last bullet point if you have been diligent about any of the following, the transition will likely be easier:
See: Ways to keep a normal sleep schedule in Alaskan winters
Alaska’s big. This hardly needs be said. It’s particularly big from North to south: over 1,300 miles. The difference is this: the southern parts of Alaska have summer light transitions that are uncomfortable but not drastically different than much of the norther part of the lower 48. From Anchorage on up, the transition ranges from drastic to as extreme as it gets.