Why Waking Up Before Sunrise Could Be Bad For Health

Lie ins, for the win.

07/10/2016 14:28

Waking up before the sun could be harming your health, according to a new study.

Scientists in Melbourne, Australia said the act of getting up at ridiculous o’clock can cause ‘social jet lag’, which refers to the difference between when a person is forced to wake up and when they wake up naturally.

When the sun rises, the body’s melatonin - the hormone which helps people sleep - is naturally suppressed. At the same time, the body’s internal cortisol levels, which gives people energy, rise.

When a person is forced to wake up instead of waking up naturally, however, these hormones don’t work as they should.

This hormone imbalance can increase the risk of:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Depression

Thankfully there are ways to mitigate some of these risks, such as cutting out caffeine later in the day, eating a big breakfast to set you up for the day and using alarm clocks that simulate the sunrise. 

Happy snoozing. 

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