"The myth of the eight-hour sleep"

[grammarwoman]

I came across an interesting article from BBC News Magazine. It states that "[a] growing body of evidence from both science and history suggests that the eight-hour sleep may be unnatural."

According to this article, before it became cheap and easy to have light during the night, it was common for people to have "a first sleep which began about two hours after dusk, followed by waking period of one or two hours and then a second sleep."

Something to ponder for those with sleep issues...

Comments

[wolfshark]

I've actually heard that theory before, and it certainly makes sense with my sleeping issues!

[alternate1985]

I've heard this before, but I will fall asleep standing up (literally) or driving a car if I have any less than seven hours. I simply can't function. Maybe it depends on the person? I've heard plenty of people say, "Pah, you don't need 8 hours. I only sleep 3 hours a night." But they're not me, and I can't do that.

[rydra_wong]

But you still get a total of 8 hours or more with the biphasic sleep pattern being discussed -- it's just more like 4 hours, wake up for a bit, sleep for 4 more hours.

Knowing about the theory has made me feel better if I wake up in the night and can't go back to sleep immediately.

[alternate1985]

Oh, well that's pretty cool! I think I see what you mean now.

Sorry, I was really busy moving when this comment was made and just saw I never replied to it! :p