Introduction
As we find ourselves entering the season of summer, we may feel our shoulders loosening with the absence of the stress from AP exams. With thousands of miles standing between where we are today and where we were when we first set foot in August, it is without a doubt that the school year is coming to a close. Now that we begin to glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel, the pressure that surrounds us starts to loosen. From this newfound bit of freedom, we find our thoughts drifting away from schoolwork toward lands yet uncharted. As you travel through this article, let us direct your thoughts toward the seasons, the sky, and that promising time of day when the modest, silvery light of the moon is replaced by the fiery ball of light that burns away the shadowy wisps of night.
Every year, as our Earth completes its revolution around the Sun, the times when our world is bathed in sunlight and the times when that light is enveloped in darkness’ sweet embrace are subject to a recurring change. When our schedules were stuffed with affairs, we could not afford to gaze at the heavens; we could not ponder the cause of this predictable variation in daylight and moonlight hours. But, as the days have lengthened, so has the time away from our desks. Now, our minds may freely wander towards phenomena like this celestial cycle. So, let us lead the way.
The Science Behind Longer Days in the Spring/Summer
As mentioned before, as spring and summer approach, the days gradually get longer. On a day known as the Summer Solstice, usually June 20 or 21, Earth receives about 15 hours of light, making it the longest day and shortest night of the entire year for approximately “88% of Earth’s people in the Northern Hemisphere”, according to PBS. Additionally, it marks the official start of summer. Why is this?
During the summer solstice, the sun is farthest North in the Northern Hemisphere, or in other words, the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer which lies at 23.5° latitude North. Therefore, on the day of the summer solstice, the sun will appear at its highest point at noon in any place above the Tropic of Cancer. It will continue to have its highest point at noon for several days after the summer solstice as well as before. In fact, many call this a “solar standstill” because the sun’s angle in relation to the Earth only gradually shifts. This shift can only be measured with special instruments and usually occurs for 10 days.
While the solstice is the longest day of the year, why do we experience longer days throughout spring? During the Earth’s revolution it leans toward the sun; therefore, there are more daylight hours and the sun’s angle in relation to the Earth is more perpendicular than other times of the year.
In simpler terms, longer days in the spring occur because, as Earth moves along its orbit, the tilt of Earth causes the Northern Hemisphere to receive more direct sunlight. This means that daylight hours will be extended up until the summer solstice mentioned above.
How Are We Impacted By Longer Days
As the days get longer, we get to reap the benefits of more sunlight and the enjoyment that the school year will be ending soon! With the longer hours of the day, you can enjoy more recreational activities and have more time to be active. It has been found that extended daylight is directly correlated with improved mental health and more energy. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is found to go away during the summer; as the warm weather hits, the typical SAD symptoms fade away. However, in some cases, individuals experience increased sadness during the summer. They prefer the cold weather of the winter which makes them work harder and thus, increase endorphin production.
Additionally, the longer days can also negatively impact one’s sleep schedule. Bright light close to bedtime affects the production of melatonin. Melatonin is the sleep hormone that increases in the dark and decreases in the light. The long days of the daytime in the summer impair the production of melatonin and therefore impact sleep and circadian rhythms.
In June, Americans went to bed about ten minutes later than in January with a peak in wake-up times. These changes in sleep times lead to a decrease in the quality and quantity of sleep. Sleep times were reduced by ten minutes each night which resulted in an hour lost each week. Sleep efficiency, or the ratio of total sleep time to time spent in bed, fell from 80% in November to 77% in July. Americans are not meeting the recommended required amount and quality of sleep per night in the summer. To help ensure you are meeting the sleep you deserve in the summer, you can stay out of your bed when you are awake, reduce your screen time, limit your use of stimulants such as caffeine, and be mindful of what you eat before bed as different foods can disrupt sleep.
Conclusion
Though the sun sets on this exploration of longer days and their impact, a new day dawns, and with it comes the opportunity to explore this phenomenal world we live in. With the weight of AP exams lifted from our shoulders, we can now fully embrace the extended daylight, though it is more important than ever to maintain awareness of both its benefits and detrimental consequences. As we stand at the threshold of this bright season, let us carry forward the curiosity sparked in these moments, letting the light of knowledge guide us just as surely as the sun chases away the shadows of night.
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