Hard days
It's been 10 days since the winter time began. Supposedly at this time, our body should already be adapted to the new schedule.
Sleep problems, low physical and intellectual performance, as well as possible depression, should have been left behind; but the fact is that although it’s only an hour apart, due to the time of year, they are more than four hours without light in comparison with the summer. And if we add to this that the temperature starts to drop, the days are short, dark and cold.
Obviously the physical outdoors-activities are limited and what we most want is to get home and settle in our favorite place.
There are studies that indicate that when the eye perceives the lack of light, a signal is sent to the hypothalamus, in the brain, so it orders that the production of melatonin and serotonin be activated, which are the hormones that induce sleep and cause feeling of tranquility.
Likewise, when the eye perceives light, the brain increases the production of stimulating hormones, such as adrenaline, cortisone and noradrenaline, which produce a state of alertness, concentration capacity, physical energy and intellectual capacity in general.
In addition, the sleep-wake cycle plays a decisive role in the regulation of the production of leptin (satiety hormone) and ghrelin (appetite hormone), which together with serotonin and growth hormone, regulate hunger patterns and satiety.
It is clear that human beings “work” better with light than without it, but that is only theory. The fact is that we have to adjust to the winter time and continue working with encouragement and without so much complaint.
This is another of the many things why the experience of living and working in this country is a constant challenge that we face and that we successfully overcome.
