Why Our Eating and Sleeping Habits Change in Winter
If you’ve found yourself going to bed earlier, struggling to wake up in the morning, and constantly craving carbs and chocolate — you’re not alone. It’s not just in your head: our eating and sleeping habits genuinely change during the colder months.
Winter affects the body in various ways, most of which are linked to light exposure, temperature, and even our emotional state.
- Less Light, More Fatigue
Shorter days and reduced sunlight affect the body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. As a result, you may feel tired earlier in the evening and find it harder to get up in the morning.
This change also disrupts your circadian rhythm — your body’s internal clock that manages your sleep-wake cycle. The result? More drowsiness during the day and a natural tendency to slow down and nest.
- Appetite Increase
Colder weather triggers the body to seek more energy to stay warm. That’s why you might find yourself hungrier than usual, especially craving calorie-dense comfort foods like bread, pasta, and baked treats.
There’s also an emotional layer: winter can stir up nostalgia, isolation, or even mild seasonal depression, leading many people to seek comfort in food — especially familiar favourites like stews, chocolate, and warm puddings.
- Vitamin D and Mood
Less sunshine means lower levels of vitamin D, which also impacts mood and energy. This can contribute to symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which in turn affect eating and sleeping behaviours.
- The Body’s Ancient Wisdom
Our ancestors slowed down during colder months and stored energy through food. That survival instinct still echoes in our modern behaviour. Your body remembers — even if you now have electric blankets and Uber Eats.
What Can You Do?
- Stick to a routine: Try to keep your sleep and mealtimes consistent.
- Move your body: Exercise helps boost mood and energy, even in cold weather.
- Seek the light: Open the curtains, sit outside when you can, and consider light therapy if fatigue lingers.
- Choose mindfully: Enjoy comfort food, but keep a balance with fruit, vegetables, and water.
Winter doesn’t ask you to be the same as you are in summer — it simply invites you to listen to your body and be gentle with yourself.
More sleep, slower meals, and softer days aren’t laziness — they’re instinct. And maybe, just maybe, they’re exactly what we need more of.
