With the change in season comes a change in temperature. Many folks avoid the cold like the plague, climbing out of bed into a 70 degree house, bundling up and getting into a 70 degree car, then arriving at a 70 degree office for the remainder of the day before returning home to do it all over again.
This may sound pleasant enough, but like light, our brains receive signals about temperature to adapt hormone production to the season. If you are one who struggles with mood or hormonal dysregulation, fatigue, or seasonal affective disorder, using temperature to reset your circadian rhythm may be quite helpful. Start here:
- Get cold in the morning.
This could be simply splashing cold water on the face, wrists, and neck, using an ice cube over the face (this also helps reduce puffiness and inflammation), going outside in your tank top and shorts for a few moments, or taking a cold shower or cold plunge. Try the one that seems most doable for you and be consistent. Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror to remind yourself!
- Get warm in the evening.
Ideally, you want to heat up your body temperature before going to bed so it can cool off and help facilitate deep sleep. Take a hot bath or shower, or take advantage of the sauna at a local gym, CryoMethod, or Float.
Many companies, including Bon Charge, also make sauna blankets which can work beautifully as well.