Thursday

Welcome to Thursday! Here’s the scoop for today:

• Why you might get hot when you sleep

• Are you dreaming of an E-Bike?

• How the moon’s phases may influence our sleep quality

• What we’re watching

Why We May Get Hot When We Sleep

Waking up in a sweat in the middle of the night is hardly comfortable. You went to bed freezing, so what’s the deal? Why are you all of a sudden hot?

Our body temperature naturally fluctuates throughout the night, so experts say it’s normal to feel a little warm. Especially as we drift off, our body temperature goes down. To let off heat, our skin’s blood vessels dilate, which can cause our body temperature to go up, Well+Good reports.

Outside of these natural fluctuations, there are other factors that can cause us to feel warmer while we sleep, including:

• Materials: Heavy pajamas or bedding, various mattresses or toppers, and our partners can all hold or insulate heat. As this heat gets trapped, we may get warmer while we sleep.

• Humidity: Especially if there are other environmental factors that trap heat and make us warm, humidity can make it harder for our bodies to cool down while we sleep.

• Food or Beverages: Certain things we eat or drink — like caffeine, alcohol, and spicy food — can cause our body temperatures to go up.

• Other factors: Other factors — like medications we may take, any medical conditions, or nerve damage — can make us feel warmer while we rest.

Dreaming of an E-Bike?

Can the Moon Impact Our Sleep?

You may have heard people say that the moon’s phases impact their mood and other aspects of their selves. But can the moon’s cycle influence how well we sleep?

Science says “yes.”

The thought is that as the moon goes through its phases, there is more moonlight at some points than others, which plays a role in our circadian rhythms.

One study found that in the 3-5 days leading up to a full moon, participants slept less — and the effects were stronger for those who lived in areas with less artificial light.

Another analysis found that the full moon was linked with people:

• Falling asleep 5 minutes later

• Resting for 20 minutes less

• Taking longer to reach REM sleep

• Lower sleep quality and a 30% decrease in deep sleep

If you feel like you don’t sleep as well when the moon is bright, it’s not you — it’s the moon!

The Powerful Impact of a Good Night of Sleep

We all know how incredible we feel after a great night of rest. We’re full of energy, in a good mood, and ready for whatever the day brings!

But the impacts of a solid night of rest go much further.

As Shai Marcu shared in a video from TED-ed, sleep plays a powerful role in our memory, and getting a solid night of rest helps with a process known as memory consolidation.

Whether it’s short-term, long-term, or procedural memory, sleep is critical in helping our brains store this information!

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: 13.5% of adults over age 18 report feeling exhausted or tired most days. Sleep is critical to make a priority!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Next time you're tempted to click "next episode," remember the importance of a good night of sleep!

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!