As our body clocks are set by the sun, the changing length of days and light exposure over the course of a year could affect the duration and quality of our sleep.
Humans may need more sleep during the winter, according to a study that will be some comfort to those who struggle to get out of bed during the colder months.
A team of scientists led by Aileen Seidler at the Charite Medical University of Berlin found that humans experience longer REM sleep in winter than in summer. The study's participants were in an urban environment with high levels of light pollution and low levels of natural light - factors that disrupt the body's circadian clock.The scientists said that the results need to be replicated in people with no sleep difficulties, but the seasonal differences could be even greater in a population of healthy sleepers.
The study said:"For many people, the time to wake up is more strongly controlled by their employer's business hours or school times than by their internal clock."Nevertheless, keeping to the same time is widely recommended and often enforced religiously on children. "Our findings suggest that improvements can be made by accounting for the increased sleep need in winter, by going to bed earlier."
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