Summer in the Yukon is a truly remarkable experience. The midnight sun happens when the earth’s axis is tilted more towards the sun, in the northern and southern hemispheres. So in some places around the world, for a time the sun never sets! The constant sun can make it difficult to sleep during summer in the Yukon. It also doesn’t just happen in the Yukon, but in other regions in the Antarctic and Arctic circles.
In the Yukon, June 21st is the summer solstice. The Yukon territory is vast so you will experience varying degrees of the midnight sun. One of the best places to see it is in Dawson City, where the sun won’t dip below the horizon. In places like southern Yukon, the sun may dip slightly beneath the horizon and so it will be twilight. But it won’t get dark, and it won’t be long before the sun rises above the horizon again!
Why can it be difficult to sleep during summer in the Yukon?
The rate at which the Yukon loses and gains sunlight is fast. Every day you either gain or lose minutes – in some places, it can be 6 minutes of difference. That’s immense. Whilst this is an incredible experience with lots of opportunities, you still need your beauty sleep!
Seasonal variations can affect how you sleep as it messes with your sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin is produced when it’s dark, to help you sleep. But with more sunlight, less melatonin is produced. This can lead to you sleeping less during the summer.
So here are some great tips on how to sleep during summer in the Yukon. These tips are fantastic if you’ve recently moved to the Yukon, or are planning a trip here. You don’t want to get burnt out and be unable to enjoy yourself!
How to sleep during summer in the Yukon:
1. Make a morning and evening routine
It’s important to get your body into a rhythm so it knows you’re winding down for sleep. In the morning, get into a routine of getting ready for the day. This can include drinking a glass of water stretching, and other general things like washing and getting dressed.
In the evening, start your routine one hour before you sleep. This can include having a shower (it lowers your body temperature, also signaling to your body it’s time to sleep); turning off electronics and not using your phone, as this also messes with your melatonin levels; doing a winding-down activity like reading or making a to-do list for the next day.
2. Go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday
This also gets your mind and body into a routine. No matter what, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time. Every day. Even when you’re not working. This will help you get more into a rhythm. The extended sunlight hours can make it seem earlier in the evening than it is. I know I’ve looked outside and been shocked that it’s 11pm, but the sun is still shining! It doesn’t even feel like almost midnight.
3. Close your curtains / blinds one hour before bedtime
This darkens the room and makes it feel more like evening to you. That way you’re not trying to sleep with the full force of daylight glaring into your room. It helps you to wind down whilst you’re doing your evening routine. It also cools your room, which I’ll talk more about later.
4. Invest in blackout blinds or curtains
This would be a worthwhile purchase! It helps to make your room as dark as possible. You could also make your own and there are some cool ideas here. After doing shift work for years, I know it’s frustrating trying to sleep during the day without blackout curtains.
5. Wear an eye mask
Wearing an eye mask in bed will also help you to sleep during summer in the Yukon. In particular silk eye masks are kinder to your skin too. It can feel comforting to have that slight pressure over your eyes when you sleep. It will also help to block out the last of the sunlight. It’s a clear and final signal you’re telling yourself “It’s bedtime right now!”
6. Exercise
For a lot of people, the extended daylight hours give them more energy. So take advantage of this! It will feel like you have more hours in the day, so get some exercise. Preferably outdoors, in the fresh air and sunshine. The Yukon is an amazing place to adventure outdoors. There are endless possibilities to go jogging, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking… The list could go on. Get out and explore! This tiredness will help you to fall asleep when it’s finally time for bed.
7. Make your room nice and cool
My last tip for how to sleep well during summer in Yukon – make your room nice and cool. Studies have shown that there are many health benefits to sleeping in a cooler room. One of these is reducing insomnia and having a better quality of sleep. Especially during the summer months. We’ve all been there – lying in a sweltering hot room, cursing the heat and wondering if this is hell.
So, are you ready to sleep during summer in the Yukon?
You now have the tools for a great night’s sleep, ready to wake up feeling refreshed. You’re ready to make the most out of your summer! The summer sun won’t start to get back to manageable hours until September. That’s plenty of time to perfect your sleep routine. Next, you will have to figure out your winter routine, and I’ll have some tips for you then too. In the meantime, you can read my story on my first winter in the Yukon.
Sleep well!
Very interesting read Rachael xxx
Thankyou, I appreciate that!
Wonderful, as usual. Thank you so much. You’re so very awesome.
[…] be a battle to be constantly adjusting throughout the year. (I write about dealing with Yukon sun here). In Yukon during the winter, temperatures can dip as low as -50c, and rise to +30c in the summer. […]