In the difficult February, in the port city to the south, I used sleep as a means--a solid ten or twelve hours (as against the customary five and change) could preserve me against the difficulties. Now, whether or not that was a good notion (and it should be noted that it saw me safely through), with this springtime, the body needs to learn on a deeper level than it did last springtime that we're not doing that anymore. Gently down the stream.
(Abruptness, as the yogis point out, is dangerous. Advance the morning in half-hour increments, rather than trying to take a flying leap. Unless, of course you want to take a flying leap. In which case, go for it.)