Waking up groggy? Try 5-second hack for an instant energy boost
Tom's Guide • • health
Key Points:
- Blackout curtains help improve sleep quality by creating a dark environment that boosts melatonin production, aiding faster sleep onset, but they can also block morning light needed to regulate circadian rhythms.
- Lack of morning light exposure due to blackout curtains reduces cortisol production, a hormone that promotes wakefulness, leading to morning fatigue, delayed wake-up times, and sluggishness.
- Experts recommend opening blackout curtains immediately upon waking, using sunrise alarm clocks that simulate dawn light, and taking a morning walk to increase cortisol and serotonin levels, thereby boosting morning energy.
- While blackout curtains are beneficial for blocking disruptive nighttime light, especially in urban areas or during summer, combining them with intentional morning light exposure helps maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
- Incorporating simple habits like opening curtains right after waking, using light-based alarms, and getting sunlight within the first hour can counteract the negative effects of blackout curtains on morning alertness.
