As seasons change, many experience fatigue, waning motivation, and poorer sleep—whether struggling to fall asleep or needing extra rest. A 2016 U.S. study confirms these shifts, but one simple factor often overlooked is inadequate hydration. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University, publishing in the journal SLEEP, examined sleep patterns and urine samples from 20,000 U.S. and Chinese adults. They found that people sleeping just 6 hours per night had far more concentrated urine, signaling dehydration compared to those getting the recommended 8 hours. Scientists attribute this connection to vasopressin, a key hormone.
“Vasopressin is released earlier and later in the sleep cycle. So if you wake up early, you can miss this stage when the hormone is released and affect your body hydration,” says study author and university professor Asher Rosinger. He adds: “Research suggests that if you haven't slept enough and you feel bad or tired during the day, you should drink plenty of water. Dehydration can have a number of negative effects on the body, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and [is recognizable by] dark, strong-smelling urine.” Skip tea, coffee, and alcohol to avoid worsening dehydration, and commit to ample water intake—a habit with proven benefits. Calculate your ideal daily amount using our tool, factoring in age and weight. It's a straightforward step to maintain energy as temperatures cool and days shorten.
