Table of contents:
- Myths about waking up at sunset
- Why is it that every time I wake up at sunset I feel cranky?
- 1. Changes in the human biological clock
- 2. Hormonal changes
- 3. Sleep inertia
Naps should feel refreshing. However, after waking up from a nap most people actually feel even more tired, dizzy, and irritable. Usually this happens when you wake up at maghrib time, which is around 5.30pm to 7pm. So many say that sleeping at sunset is not good. Then, is it true that waking up at sunset can make you grumpy or not mood? Find the full answer below.
Myths about waking up at sunset
The prohibition of sleeping at sunset is deeply rooted in Indonesian society, especially for those whose daily lives are full of traditional and religious rituals. Sleeping at sunset is believed to bring bad luck to mental disorders.
There are also those who believe that maghrib or sunset is a sacred time, which is the change of day from day to night. At this time, the powers of evil will start to roam. So if you sleep, you will be more easily controlled by these things. The myths circulating in the community emerge to explain why waking up at sunset makes you dizzy and irritable.
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Why is it that every time I wake up at sunset I feel cranky?
Although the prohibition to wake up at dusk is only a belief or disbelief, doing so can indeed make someone feel grumpy. This is because behind the myths that people believe in, there is a scientific explanation. Here are three reasons why waking up at sunset can keep you from sleeping mood.
1. Changes in the human biological clock
The human biological clock (circadian rhythm) is a daily cycle through which the body passes in one day. The clock regulates the various functions and organs of the body automatically based on the cycle you are used to. If there are changes to your biological clock, for example due to sleeping at the time you normally do your activities, your body will be shocked and confused. These activities are not in accordance with the work of your organs.
ALSO READ: Understanding the Biological Clock: The Work Schedule of Our Organs
At maghrib, you are in peak fitness. Your lungs are up to 17.6% stronger than normal. In addition, the strength of your muscles also increases by 6%. So even if you don't realize it, the body is in fact its most vibrant and fresh in the evening. This is why the afternoon and evening are the best times for physical activity.
If you force yourself to rest and sleep at this hour, your body will actually be busy adjusting to this sudden change. Muscles that were strong are forced to suddenly relax. Your lungs should also work more relaxedly during your nap.
However, this is not necessarily the body's success. The problem is that the body does not know how long these bodily functions will last because this is not your body's daily program. So when you wake up at sunset, your body feels sore and uncomfortable. This is because the body is actually not really resting during your nap. Muscles still feel tight. Because your body feels heavy, you can feel grumpy.
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Waking up to a nap when the sky is dark can also often lead to confusion or time disorientation. You think it's morning. The brain reflexively forces the mind to wake up. However, you haven't slept long enough like a night's sleep which takes about 7-8 hours. Because of this confusion, you feel restless.
2. Hormonal changes
Still related to changes in the human biological clock, the production of various hormones in the body is also regulated in the daily cycle. For good quality sleep, your body needs the hormone melatonin, which is usually produced around 9 pm to 6 am. This hormone can make you feel tired and sleepy. Meanwhile, in the afternoon until evening, the body is deficient in sleep hormones.
However, because you are comfortable lying down and resting your body, eventually the production of the hormone melatonin increases. The brain will continue to produce this hormone according to your daily nighttime sleep. This is because your brain thinks you are sleeping earlier than usual, even though you are just stealing time to take a nap.
When you wake up at sunset, your body is not ready and has enough energy to return to activities. The reason is, the hormone melatonin is still widely produced in the body. Because of this unnatural change, the brain reads about threats and the need to increase energy. As a result, the brain will command the production of stress hormones, namely adrenaline and cortisol. Besides increasing your energy and alertness, these stress hormones will make you feel anxious and irritable.
3. Sleep inertia
Sleep inertia is a psychological condition in which you feel weak, tired, dizzy, and irritable when you wake up. This condition occurs when you take a nap for more than 20 minutes or wake up suddenly. The ideal nap is 20 minutes because you are not actually falling asleep to deep sleep (REM sleep). More than that, you will enter the REM stage.
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So, if you take a late nap and wake up at dusk, your brain will be shocked by suddenly waking up from the REM stage. The inertia sleep state can last quite a long time, from half an hour to 4 hours. So, it's best to avoid naps of more than 20 minutes. Also try to wake up from a nap before 5 in the afternoon.
