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But can scientific research support the claim we sleep worse when theres a full moon?
And why might a full moon cause bad sleep?
Experts agree that screen time at night can disrupt your sleep
In this article, well explore whether the full moon might be the reason for your sleepless nights.
So, does a full moon affect sleep?
Can a full moon affect your sleep?
Experts agree that screen time at night can disrupt your sleep
For millennia, people have theorized that the moon cycle plays a role in our health and wellbeing.
Pliny the Elder evensuggesteda full moon caused a rise in brain moisture, leading to madness.
Research from 2006 indicates there might be more to the sleep-moon connection than just anecdotal evidence.
A2013 studyfound similar results.
A2014 studysupported these findings, recording sleep time decreasing by 25 minutes around the full moon.
A comprehensive2021 studyfurther solidified the moon-sleep connection.
It isnt just adults that might feel the effects of a full moon.
A wide-scale2016 studyfollowed 5,812 children aged between nine and 11.
Gender might also play a role.
Experts agree that screen time at night can disrupt your sleep
Not all experts are convinced.
Why might a full moon affect sleep?
For most of us, the moon tends to play a very small part in our day-to-day lives.
So why might the lunar cycle have an effect on our sleep habits?
A few different theories have been proposed, but right now, were lacking compelling evidence for any explanation.
Moonlight is the result of sunlight bouncing off the moon and reflecting back to Earth.
Light plays a vital role in our sleep habits.
Our sleep-wake cycles are the result of fluctuations in hormone levels brought on by changes in light.
Some sleep studies, such as this one from2015, have taken place in artificial environments.
Participants slept in a windowless room, but their sleep cycle still seemed to react to the moon.
However, the theory needs to be explored further.
If the moon can move bodies of water, might it move the water in our body?
And might fluctuating gravity be the reason we appear to sleep worse during the full moon?
Probably not, although the theory has been proposed.
However, theres little evidence to support this.
In addition, if the full moon does disturb sleep, the jury is divided on exactlywhythis happens.
If a screen embargo seems a little too hard, try changing your devices to night mode.
Learn more about howscreen time can affect your sleepwith our guide.
But although the nights are turning cooler, avoid turning the thermostat up overnight.
Choose one of ourbest cooling mattresses, to achieve the perfect sleep temperature.
Moon breathing is a simple yoga technique used to calm the body before bed.
Then, cover the left nostril, uncover the right nostril, and exhale.
Repeat this pattern until you feel your body and mind start to relax.
