Do you find yourself bursting with energy late at night, yet exhausted and lethargic during the day? If so, you're not alone. Many healthy people experience higher levels of alertness and productivity later in the evening when the sun goes down.
While researchers are still working to fully understand why this occurs, there are several potential explanations for why your body might be more energized at night than it is throughout the day.
In this blog post, we'll explore some of these theories while offering tips on how to stay productive and boost your daytime energy levels.
Cortisol's Influence on Your Energy Levels
You've probably heard about cortisol. It's commonly referred to as your body's stress hormone because it's released in reaction to stressful conditions and aids in the activation of your fight-or-flight response.
Many articles focus on reducing cortisol levels to alleviate the symptoms of chronic stress. However, cortisol serves other important functions in your body, and you don't want your cortisol levels to be too low.
One of cortisol's most significant functions is to regulate your circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock that regulates your sleep-wake cycle over the course of a 24-hour period.
Cortisol levels over normal wake you up from sleep and keep you awake throughout the day, while cortisol levels below normal make you drowsy and helps with sleep.
Related Link: How to Get Energy Without Caffeine: 5 Best Ways
A Cortisol Imbalance Can Cause Excessive Energy at Night
Your optimum daily cortisol cycle is depicted in the graph above. However, variables such as stress, lack of sleep, irregular sleep patterns, and coffee use can cause your body's cortisol levels to fluctuate throughout the day.
One study found that when healthy young adults slept poorly one night, their cortisol levels were higher than usual the following evening, and they had trouble falling asleep. The more unbalanced your cortisol becomes, the more difficult it is to correct.
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How to Regulate Your Cortisol Rhythm for Stable Energy
The good news is that you can affect your cortisol rhythm by making a few modifications to your lifestyle. Here are some techniques to control your cortisol levels and maintain a steady level of energy throughout the day.
Wake Up at Precisely the Same Time Each Morning
Consistently rising at the same time each morning has been shown to stabilize the sleep-wake cycle and, in turn, cortisol release throughout the day. This was discovered by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
If you have problems going to sleep because you have too much energy at night, sticking to a regular wake-up time may be difficult. It's possible that, at first, you'll just need a few hours of sleep each night to be fully functional during the day.
Although it may be difficult at first, sticking to a regular wake-up hour might help you keep your stress hormones (cortisol) and energy levels in check.
Use Adaptogens to Deal with Stress
Adaptogens are substances that strengthen the brain's resistance to stress.
According to research, adaptogens are beneficial for:
- reducing tiredness
- Reducing stress and anxiousness
- enhancing concentration and sustained focus
- Transitioning brain function toward equilibrium (balance)
One of the fascinating aspects of adaptogens is their ability to normalize brain function regardless of any imbalance. Adaptogens will increase your energy if you need it, but they will also calm you down if you have too much. They bring you to a healthy middle ground regardless of your current location.
Block Blue Light Prior to Sleep
Melatonin is a hormone that induces sleepiness. As cortisol levels decline in the evening, melatonin levels rise, causing drowsiness. In the morning, as cortisol increases, melatonin decreases, helping you to wake up.
Stabilizing your melatonin can assist in stabilizing your circadian rhythm, which may aid in cortisol regulation.
However, you may be unknowingly interfering with your melatonin levels at night. In the couple of hours before bed, exposure to blue light emitted by your phone, computer, TV, and other electronic devices might impede melatonin production and reduce the quality of your sleep.
To block blue light, stop watching television an hour before bed and activate the night mode on your computer and mobile device. Night mode filters out blue spectrum light automatically. It may take a day or two to adjust to the amber hue, but your sleep quality, sleep-wake cycle, and energy levels should all improve significantly.
Abstain from Caffeine After 2pm
Coffee is a terrific method to enhance your energy levels in the morning, but drinking coffee in the afternoon will artificially increase your cortisol levels, leaving you extremely awake at sleep.
A 2005 study examined the effects of coffee on the daily cortisol cycle. It was discovered that the cortisol levels of persons who consumed caffeine only occasionally increased dramatically over the day.
When participants consumed caffeine regularly, their bodies adapted, and cortisol levels rose less. Nevertheless, coffee use in the afternoon caused cortisol levels to rise for several hours. If you already have a cortisol imbalance, consuming coffee after 2 p.m. may exacerbate the problem.
You would likely benefit from avoiding stimulants in the afternoon. The good news is that you do not require stimulants to boost your concentration and energy levels. If you want to be more alert and productive during the day, take this quiz on nootropics. It will provide you with a personalized nootropic formula tailored to improve your brain function, based on your specific requirements.
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Using Herbal Supplements For Relaxing: Kava & Kratom
Shot of Joy's Kratom & Kava Shot is a unique combination of two natural herbs that can help you unwind before bed. This beverage is intended to relax your mind and body, allowing you to obtain the slumber you need to re-energize and feel revitalized in the morning.
Kratom is a natural plant extract that has been used to alleviate anxiety and tension for generations. On the other hand, kava is a root extract utilized for its calming and relaxing qualities. These chemicals constitute a potent combination that might help you relax after a long day.
The Kratom & Kava Shot from Shot of Joy is simple to use; simply shake the container and consume it straight. It is a convenient and efficient approach to unwind before bed, and many individuals report feeling calmer and more relaxed within minutes of receiving the injection.
Shot of Joy's Kratom & Kava Shot may be exactly what you need if you have difficulties sleeping, experience tension and worry, or just need a little additional aid to relax before bed.
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Managing Energy At Night
It’s important to remember that everyone is different and that these are just general tips. Some people may find that they have more energy at night because of their sleep schedule, while others may find that their body naturally has more energy at night. If you’re still struggling to figure out why you have so much energy at night, consider talking to a doctor or sleep specialist.
They may be able to help you determine if there’s an underlying medical condition causing your sleeplessness. In the meantime, try some of these tips to see if they help you get a better night’s sleep. And be sure to check out Shot of Joy to learn more about how Kratom & Kava can help you relax.
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