Are Full Moon Effects on Sleep Patterns Real?
It might be hard to believe that a celestial object that’s nearly 238,855 miles away from you can have any effect on your sleep patterns.
But the mystical powers of the full moon have long been a source of fascination across many cultures, giving rise to urban legends about werewolves, erratic human behaviors, and even sleepless nights. Though some are obvious myths, full moon effects on sleep patterns do hold true to an extent.
Typically, the circadian rhythm, also known as the body’s internal clock, coincides with the sun’s cycle, which is why we’re awake during the day and asleep at night. When it’s dark outside, the body produces the sleep hormone known as melatonin, and when it’s light out, melatonin production decreases.
However, recent findings suggest that the moon also influences our sleep patterns. Here’s everything you need to know about how a full moon can affect sleep and what to do about it.
Does Full Moon Affect Sleep?
Though the research isn’t extensive, some studies have shown that the nights leading up to the full moon can affect sleep patterns.
According to a study released earlier this year, people go to sleep later, experience less deep sleep, and sleep for shorter periods of time in the days leading up to a full moon. On average, a full moon happens every 29.5 days, and the study tracked participants’ sleep cycles for up to two months.
The research was conducted on students from the University of Washington and indigenous Argentinian communities. One community had no access to electricity, the second had partial electricity, and the third had complete access.
Though it’s expected that the indigenous community with no electricity would be most impacted by the light of the full moon, the results were similar across all groups, even in highly urbanized Seattle. People went to bed 30 minutes later than usual and slept 50 minutes less on nights before a full moon.
Another study published in 2013 yielded similar results. Christian Cajochen, the lead researcher, told BBC News that the most likely explanation for why the moon affects sleep patterns is because humans are naturally synced with lunar cycles, as well. “The lunar cycle seems to influence human sleep, even when one does not see the moon and is not aware of the actual moon phase,” he said in the interview.
How to Get Better Sleep During a Full Moon
If you find yourself tossing and turning in the nights leading up to a full moon, don’t fret. The best solution may be to wait it out, but prolonged sleeplessness can have you racking up a sleep debt and take a toll on your health over a period of time.
To ensure you get a good night’s rest, even during a full moon, it’s essential to regularly practice healthy sleep hygiene habits. But if you experience the moon’s effects full-force one day and just want to go to sleep, here are some ways you can fall asleep fast.
- Drink a glass of warm milk
When you’re feeling uneasy and can’t bring yourself to fall asleep, try the age-old trick of drinking a glass of warm milk to regulate your sleep patterns.
Milk contains an amino acid known as tryptophan, which helps build the hormone serotonin. Serotonin converts to the sleep hormone melatonin to help you fall asleep faster.
- Unwind before bedtime
Full moons are known for causing restlessness, so it’s more important than ever to have some time for yourself and unwind before you sleep.
When you go to bed agitated, you’re more likely to stay up later, which means it’s essential to relax your body and mind so that you’re better prepared for a good night’s sleep.
Set aside an hour before bed when you avoid screens and use that time to do something that relaxes you completely, whether that means taking a warm bath, meditating, or even journaling your worries away.
- Go to bed a little later
If full moon effects on sleep patterns are as bad as the studies suggest, then it might be best to go to sleep a little later than you normally would, at a time when you actually feel tired.
This way, you can minimize the amount of time you spend lying awake, staring at the ceiling, and use that opportunity to relax your mind and do something that’ll help you fall asleep faster.
- Optimize your bedroom environment
To get a good night’s sleep, it’s essential to optimize your bedroom for a good night’s sleep. Create a cool and dark environment so that you don’t wake up in the middle of the night because of any unwanted disruptions.
In case the light of the full moon is visible in your room, consider investing in blackout curtains to enjoy an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine
As a general rule, limiting alcohol and caffeine before bedtime is a healthy sleep hygiene habit that can improve your sleep patterns.
If the moon affects your sleep, then it’s a good idea to eliminate alcohol and caffeine in the days leading up to a full moon as much as you can. Since caffeine can stay in the body for up to 10 hours, try to have your last cup of coffee by early afternoon.
Though some studies have shown that the full moon can impact sleep patterns, researchers remain unsure about why this happens.
But regardless of the effects of the lunar cycle, you can continue to sleep easy as long as you maintain healthy sleep hygiene habits.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read in our publication.
About Puffy
Puffy is a California-based company founded on the idea of creating cloud mattresses and bedroom products that feel like sleeping on a cloud. Puffy has been featured on The Talk, and was recently awarded Best Mattress of 2021. For more information visit https://puffy.com
