Colin Snow
For centuries, humans slept in two shifts, known as first sleep or dead sleep and second sleep or morning sleep. This phenomenon, known as biphasic sleep, was discovered by historian Roger Ekirch in the early 1990s when he found a mention of 'first sleep' in a historic court deposition. Ekirch's research revealed that prior to the Industrial Revolution, people across Europe slept in two segments, with a period of wakefulness in between. This period, known as the watch, was often used for activities such as prayer, work, or socialising. The advent of modern lighting and the shift towards clock-time contributed to the decline of biphasic sleep, as people started to compress their sleep into a longer 'first sleep' and a shorter 'second sleep'. By the end of the 20th century, the two sleeps had consolidated, and the nocturnal pattern of biphasic sleep had disappeared.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Biphasic sleep, two sleeps, segmented sleep |
| Time period | For thousands of years, before the Industrial Revolution |
| First sleep | Began around dusk, lasted 3-4 hours |
| Wakefulness period | Called "the watch", lasted 1-2 hours, used for quiet activities like prayer, meditation, reading, or sex |
| Second sleep | Began around 2 am, was a longer stint of sleep lasting until dawn or later |
| Reasons for change | Industrial Revolution, shift to clock-time, increased use of artificial light, desire for efficiency |
| Modern recommendations | Sleep specialists recommend 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep for optimal health |
| Student recommendations | Students encouraged to consider biphasic sleep model to improve sleep quality and cognitive function |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The history of biphasic sleep
The concept of biphasic sleep, also known as "two sleeps", was discovered by historian Roger Ekirch in the early 1990s. He found references to "first sleep" in a historic court deposition, which led to further research uncovering a range of historical sources mentioning biphasic sleep. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, people across Europe slept in two segments: the "first sleep" and the "morning sleep", with a period of wakefulness in between.
The "first sleep" typically began before 10 pm and lasted a couple of hours. This was followed by "the watch", a period of wakefulness lasting around two hours, which was often used for activities such as prayer, chores, work, or socialising. However, it was also a time when criminals took advantage of the darkness to commit unsavoury deeds.
Around 2 am, people returned to bed for the "morning sleep", which continued until dawn or later. The advent of artificial lighting, starting with gaslight and then electric light, allowed people to stay up later, compressing their sleep into a longer "first sleep" and shorter "morning sleep". By the end of the 20th century, this nocturnal pattern had disappeared, and our biology had adjusted to consolidated sleep patterns.
The decline of biphasic sleep also coincided with the rise of industrialisation and a shift towards clock-time. The desire for efficiency and productivity left people exhausted, and staying up late and sleepwalking through the day became viewed as self-indulgent.
While biphasic sleep may have been the norm for centuries, modern science suggests that sleeping in one solid chunk gives people the best chance of living a long life. Studies show that adults who consistently sleep for seven to eight hours every night live the longest, and that each disruption to sleep can impact every cell, tissue, and organ, increasing the chances of serious health issues. However, some sleep specialists suggest that biphasic sleep can be beneficial, especially for students struggling with sleep deprivation.
The Mystery of Z's and Sleep Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The first sleep and morning sleep
The notion of "first sleep" and "morning sleep" or "second sleep" was a common sleep pattern for our ancestors. This phenomenon, also known as biphasic sleep, was discovered by historian Roger Ekirch in the early 1990s when he found a mention of "first sleep" in a historical court deposition. Ekirch's research revealed that prior to the Industrial Revolution, people across Europe slept in two segments.
The "first sleep" typically began before 10 pm and lasted a couple of hours. This was followed by a period of wakefulness called "the watch" or "the watching," which could last around two hours. During this time, people engaged in various activities such as quiet prayer, house chores, work, or socialising. It is worth noting that "the watch" was not always a peaceful time, with some accounts referring to murders and other unsavoury deeds taking place during this window.
Around 2 am, people returned to bed for the "morning sleep" or "second sleep," which continued until dawn or later. This sleep pattern began to change with the advent of artificial lighting, starting with gas light and then electric light at the end of the 19th century. People started staying up later, compressing their sleep into a longer "first sleep" and a shorter "morning sleep." By the end of the 20th century, our biology had adjusted to this new pattern, and the two sleeps consolidated into a single nocturnal sleep.
The concept of segmented sleep has sparked interest and debates in the scholarly literature and mainstream media. Some have even suggested that our modern sleep problems might be alleviated by understanding and embracing this ancient sleep rhythm. However, it is important to note that modern science largely agrees that sleeping in one solid chunk of seven to eight hours each night is the best way to promote a long and healthy life.
Electric Blankets: Safe Sleep or Shocking Danger?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The watch period
For those with higher social standings, the watch period was often used for quiet activities such as prayer, meditation, reflection, reading, or writing. It was also a time for socialising, albeit in a more subdued manner. Lower-class individuals, on the other hand, may have used this time for house chores or work.
However, the watch period was not always a positive time. Criminals took advantage of the darkness and quiet to commit unsavoury deeds, including murders. This may have contributed to the perception of the wee hours as a time best avoided, as suggested by Craig Koslofsky in "Evening's Empire".
Unlocking Apple Sleep Tracker: A Guide to Better Rest
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The decline of biphasic sleep
The concept of biphasic sleep, also known as "two sleeps", was discovered in the early 1990s by historian Roger Ekirch. Ekirch found references to 'first sleep' in historical texts, indicating that before the Industrial Revolution, people in Europe slept in two segments, with a period of wakefulness in between. The first sleep typically lasted a couple of hours, beginning before 10 pm, followed by a wakeful period of around two hours, known as 'the watch'. During this time, people engaged in various activities like quiet prayer, chores, work, or socialising.
However, the practice of biphasic sleep began to decline in the late 17th century, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the shift to clock-time. The increasing availability of artificial light, starting with gaslight and later electric light, played a significant role in disrupting sleep patterns. People started staying up later, compressing their sleep into a longer first sleep and a shorter morning sleep.
By the end of the 20th century, our biology had adjusted to this new sleep pattern, and the two sleeps consolidated into a single nocturnal sleep period. The expectation of achieving eight uninterrupted hours of sleep became the norm, and sleeping less began to be seen as a sign of efficiency and productivity. This shift was also influenced by the desire for efficiency and modernisation promoted by industrialisation.
While the reasons for the decline of biphasic sleep are complex and multifaceted, it is clear that the shift to a single sleep period has had a significant impact on our sleep habits and overall well-being.
Aromatherapy Sleep Solutions: Nature Love's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Modern-day sleep patterns
In modern times, the idea of segmented sleep has been replaced by a monophasic sleep pattern, with eight hours of uninterrupted sleep being the ideal. This shift from biphasic to monophasic sleep started in the 17th century and was influenced by the Industrial Revolution, the invention of artificial lighting, and the move towards clock-time. By the end of the 20th century, our biology had adjusted to this new nocturnal pattern.
The abandonment of biphasic sleep can be attributed to the increased use of artificial lighting, particularly electric light, which allowed people to stay awake longer. The introduction of gas lighting, followed by electric lighting, in the 19th century, contributed to the shift in sleep patterns.
Today, our sleep patterns are influenced by various factors, including our reliance on technology, such as television, the internet, and the increased use of caffeine. Additionally, the stress of living up to modern ideals of productivity and success can impact our sleep. The concept of "sleeporexia," or the need to sleep less to achieve more, has been popularized, with some public figures even boasting about their reduced sleep requirements.
The abandonment of biphasic sleep has had some consequences. For example, the use of sleeping tablets has increased, with a 60% rise in the US between 2000 and 2005. However, these tablets only provide an extra 11 minutes of sleep, highlighting the challenges of achieving restful sleep in our modern era.
While the monophasic sleep pattern is now the norm, there are still some cultures that practice biphasic sleep, such as the tradition of siesta in Spain, Italy, Greece, and some Asian and Hispanic American countries. However, even in these cultures, the practice of napping during the day is becoming less common due to more demanding work schedules.
Understanding Sleep: BDtime NDD and Sleep Cycles
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to historian Roger Ekirch, who discovered the concept in the early 1990s. Before the Industrial Revolution, people in Europe slept in two segments: the ""first sleep" and the "morning sleep", with a period of wakefulness in between.
The period of wakefulness, known as "the watch", lasted for about two hours and was used for various activities such as quiet prayer, house chores, work, or socialising. However, it was also a time when criminals took the opportunity to commit unsavoury deeds.
The practice of sleeping twice dwindled due to the Industrial Revolution and shifts in behaviour, including the move to clock-time and the advent of artificial lighting. These changes allowed people to stay up later, compressing their sleep into a longer "first sleep" and a shorter "morning sleep".
While some suggest that segmented sleep may be a natural and healthier alternative to consolidated sleep, modern science suggests that sleeping in one solid chunk of seven to eight hours gives people the best chance of living a long life. Sleeping a long, solid chunk each night is considered the most natural way to sleep today due to our modern lifestyles and technology use.
