We look at the sky and we see the illuminating moonlight sending its goodnight wishes. We wake up to beaming sunlight shining its glory upon our faces. Our days go by in cycles dictated by the sun and the moon, and so do our weeks, months, and years.

People have been fascinated by the cyclical nature of our world since ancient times, and numerous studies attest to the intrinsic connection between the sun, the moon, nature, and us.

Our sleep patterns are also affected by the sky’s magnificent forces that trigger incredible awe in our wondering minds. In celebration of International Sleep Month, we go on a journey through the cycles of the sun and the moon to unveil the mysteries surrounding our sleep patterns.

We’re all going through phases

Every night, we watch the moon perform its astronomical dance across the sky. In the span of 29.5 days, the Moon completes one cycle of eight phases, as documented in the Lunar Calendar. 

Contrary to what we might think, the moon doesn’t emit its own light. Instead, it’s the sun that is illuminating La Luna. What we see from Earth is the light that the sun has bestowed upon the moon on that particular day.

The moon is going through phases, but aren’t we all? That’s the correlation that both folklore and science have established. We constantly change our moods, and one study shows that patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder often had their mood cycles synchronised with the lunar tidal cycles. Spikes in crime and even psychosis are also attributed to the moon’s journey across the sky.

Biologically, our bodies respond to the changing moon phases. A study shows that women’s menstrual cycles are often synchronised with the new moon, especially among younger women. As women age and are exposed to artificial light, synchronicity with the moon is lost. In the spiritual realm, you are considered a true ‘witch’ if your menstrual cycle is synced with the moon.

Moon phases and sleep patterns

Another major biological function is also largely affected by the moon – our ability to sleep. We often hear people say they couldn’t sleep well because there was a full moon. But what’s the meaning behind that?

In a recent study, scientists tracked the sleeping patterns of 98 individuals across three indigenous communities in Argentina over the course of one or two months. One of the communities had no electricity access, the second had limited access, and the third had full access in an urban setting.

Participants from all three communities showed the same patterns of sleep oscillation as the moon moved through its phases. Bedtime was changing by 30 to 80 minutes, and sleep duration changes varied in length by between 20 to more than 90 minutes.

Intriguingly, participants had significantly less sleep in the three-to-five-day period prior to the full moon. The opposite occurred prior to the new moon. Initially, researchers expected that people will show less sleep and more activity during the night of the full moon. 

However, “it turns out that the nights before the full moon are the ones that have most of the moonlight during the first half of the night,” said Horacio de la Iglesia, a professor of biology at the University of Washington.

In terms of the effect of artificial light on sleep patterns, the survey showed that communities with less access to electricity experienced a stronger ‘lunar phase effect’.

The results were correlated with similarly collected data from 464 students studying at the University of Washington in Seattle. The same oscillations in sleep patterns were found.

“Together, these results strongly suggest that human sleep is synchronized with lunar phases regardless of ethnic and socio-cultural background, and of the level of urbanization,” wrote the researchers.

Let there be light

But what is causing that magnificent correlation between the moon phases and our sleep patterns?

Alongside electromagnetism and gravity, light has a major play in this. Our bodies follow a circadian rhythm, which is the body’s internal 24-hour clock, and it dictates our sleep cycles. Our bodies are naturally drawn to drift off to sleep when it’s dark and wake up when there is light. 

Moonlight is strongest during a full moon, meaning that sleep disruptions are more likely to occur.

Up your sleep hygiene game for the Spring Equinox

As we welcomed the Spring Equinox on 20 March, we also parted with an hour of sleep time. The Spring Equinox, also known as the Vernal Equinox, is when the sun sits vertically above the equator, and the day and the night are equalised. It also marks the beginning of spring and longer days.

People all over the world have been hosting celebrations for centuries in lieu of the festival of spring. This is the season when nature wakes up after its winter sleep, and it lays its green tapestry upon the land. We also wake up to the excitement of life and longer days, meaning that our sleep patterns might be affected by longer exposure to sunlight, and we might find it harder to fall asleep.

What else do we tend to do during this time? A spring cleaning of both our space and our minds. They often say that a clean house equals a clean mind. This is the key to better sleep during spring.

During this time, it’s important to pay extra attention to your sleep hygiene. Here are our top tips for elevating your sleep routine:

• De-clutter your bedroom. It’s time to apply the well-known KonMari method and get rid of that which no longer “sparks joy” in your space. This will help you go to bed and wake up with a clear mind.

• Apply feng shui techniques. Turn your bedroom into a sanctuary with the help of feng shui. Position your bed diagonally across from the door, invite more Yin energy through cooling colours, and place objects in pairs to promote better sleep.

• Choose the right bedding. Natural materials, such as linen bedding, feel soft to the touch and can significantly enhance your sleeping experience. Louise Rusk, founder of Cowberry Home, commented: “Linen is a 100% natural material that is incredibly lightweight, breathable, and absorbent. It has the magical property of regulating your temperature, meaning it will keep you cool during the coming spring heatwaves and warm during colder nights. It is also hypoallergenic and will help you alleviate the symptoms of spring allergies, ensuring you get a good night’s sleep”.

• Wear an eye mask. It helps create darkness and signal to your body that it’s time for sleep, especially during the early hours of the day when the light comes through. It also helps boost your serotonin levels, which promotes better quality sleep.

It is beyond fascinating how our bodies’ internal clocks are synchronised with the sun and the moon. Being aware of that connection helps us realise that we need to learn how to honour these rhythms and take better care of ourselves and our sleep hygiene.