Autumnal fatigue: What is it?

There’s plenty to love about Autumn. The colours of the falling leaves, the cosy clothes and the excuse to spend more time relaxing at home.

However, as the nights draw in and colder weather descends, you may simply be left feeling cold and tired. Low mood is also a common issue around this time of year.

If you’re feeling exhausted since the weather has turned, read on to discover why – and what you can do about it.

During the autumn and winter months, your brain produces more of the ‘sleep hormone’ melatonin.

This is because you see less sunlight at this time of year, so your brain goes into a semi-hibernation mode.¹

This might sound like something only animals do, but the human brain is governed by a light-sensitive circadian rhythm just as the animal brain is.

We have evolved to feel sleepy when it’s dark and alert and awake when it’s light.

Today, of course, your routine is likely to be the same all year round, but the lack of exposure to light and subsequent melatonin production is still making you sleepy as it did our ancestors.

So, in the context of autumn - not only are you being kept awake in the evenings by artificial light, but we are made to feel very sleepy in the mornings by the lack of light. Exactly the opposite to how our bodies like to run!

Another factor for seasonal tiredness could be inactivity. Leading a sedentary life during the colder months (as a result of miserable weather and dark nights) can leave you feeling lethargic and unable to sleep.²

Don’t forget that feeling fatigue and tiredness also makes us less motivated to exercise and move our bodies.

It kind of encourages us to be passive and ‘rest’ more, which instead of alleviating fatigue and tiredness, often makes it worse!

Handpicked content: Guide to fighting fatigue

Here are the most influential factors that can quickly make you feel better during autumn according to our Sleep Expert!

Autumn temperatures in the UK can range from around 5 – 15 degrees centigrade.

If you don’t layer your clothes and remember your coat, you’re likely to feel the cold.

If you’re wrapping up warm and still feeling the chill, it could be due to a number of factors

• Invest in some winter clothes

Make sure you have some proper winter items such as gloves, thick socks and a proper coat.

Coats can be bought in a nearly-new condition at a significant discount – try online or local charity shops. And remember to layer your winter outfits to trap warm air close to your body.

• Don't have the heating on too high

Don't crank up the central heating too high in your home.

This will dry out your skin and airways, leaving you at higher risk of skin issues such as eczema.⁵

Yes. Sleep helps to regulate body temperature – and skimping on quality sleep can make you feel colder.

Our core body temperature drops slightly during the evening in preparation for sleep, so if you hold off on going to bed, you might feel a chil^l too, but this is normal.⁷

It is helpful to have the bedroom a degree or so cooler than the rest of your house to encourage the physiological sleep initiation process, but remember you have got to be comfortable so there is a lot of personal preference here.

When you feel you haven’t had a good night's sleep, carry on with your day making sure you eat a balanced diet and enough food so you are not hungry, you hydrate and you exercise.

Handpicked content: 10 foods to help you sleep

It is also the only type of tiredness that requires sleep. Getting this wrong and forcing yourself to bed when you are not sleepy will lead to anxiety, thoughts whirring, and you feeling less sleepy than ever!

Unnecessarily adding more bedtime to your routine does not equal more sleep time.

It is important to rest up when you are not feeling well – but resting, in general, does not mean sleep.

Sugary food and drinks cause glucose and insulin spikes, which can leave you feeling tired and sluggish as your body works to balance your blood sugar.¹¹

Reduce the usual suspects here – cakes, biscuits, fizzy drinks, pastries and takeaways offer a short-term pick-me-up but will leave you feeling worse long-term.

Too many refined carbohydrates such as white pasta and white bread turn to sugar rapidly in your bloodstream and can have a similar effect.

Of course, we’d never suggest forgoing carbs altogether – especially when it’s cold outside!

DO eat for energy. Try to stick mostly to complex carbs such as brown bread, brown rice, vegetables and sweet potatoes.

DON’T eat for a short-term energy boost all the time. Eat for overall health (whilst still enjoying your food) and you’ll help reduce feelings of tiredness.