My waking hour depends largely on the season.
With the slow return of spring, I find myself waking earlier than I do in winter. I don't use an alarm clock and trust myself to wake up when I need to. ALthough sometimes I need a little help.
In the winter, I am often surprised by just how tired I am when my son comes in to wake me up at seven in the morning. It is still dark out and I feel the need to sleep for "just a bit longer". Unfortunately I have to get him ready for school so extra sleep is not possible.
As February turns to March, I find myself waking up earlier (and feeling rested) than I have been for many months, yet I have still been going to bed at night the same time. The difference is that the sun has been coming up earlier and lighting my room in the six o'clock hour. I feel more awake in the morning and ready to face the day on these mornings than I did in the dead of winter.
With the changing of the clocks on March 8/9, more darkness will return to the morning hours. Besides the bonus evening light, this will allow me to sleep a bit longer in the morning and, with any luck, my son too.
