Ashwin Lewis
For centuries, humans slept in two shifts with a period of wakefulness in between. This bi-modal sleep pattern was the standard, accepted way to sleep. References to the first and second sleep can be found in literature, court documents, personal papers, and ephemera from the past. People would generally sleep for three to four hours, then wake up for one to three hours, and then sleep again until morning. During the waking period, people would relax, ponder their dreams, or engage in activities like sewing, chopping wood, reading, praying, or having sex. The concept of a single eight-hour sleep began around the Industrial Revolution, and by the 1920s, the idea of a first and second sleep had disappeared from our social consciousness. Today, many people experience distress when they wake up in the middle of the night, but this may be a natural part of our sleep cycle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sleep sessions | Two |
| Total duration | 12 hours |
| First sleep duration | 3-4 hours |
| Wakefulness duration | 1-3 hours |
| Time of first sleep | Around dusk |
| Time of wakefulness | Around midnight to 2 a.m. |
| Time of second sleep | Dawn |
| Activities during wakefulness | Reading, walking, thinking, writing, praying, smoking, chatting, chopping wood, sex |
| Factors contributing to change in sleep pattern | Industrial Revolution, artificial light, technology, stress |
| References in literature | Homer's Odyssey, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Charles Dickens' Barnaby Rudge |
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What You'll Learn
- Before the Industrial Revolution, two-part sleep was the norm
- The shift to single sleep began in upper-class Northern Europe
- Technology and artificial light have disrupted natural sleep cycles
- Two sleeps may be more natural but require significant lifestyle changes
- Split-shift sleep schedules can benefit performance and safety
Before the Industrial Revolution, two-part sleep was the norm
Before the Industrial Revolution, a two-part sleep was the norm. This sleep pattern, also known as bi-modal or bi-phasic sleep, consisted of a "first sleep" and a "second sleep", separated by a period of wakefulness. The pattern was discovered by historian A. Roger Ekirch, who found references to it in literature, court records, diaries, and medical records dating back to Homer's Odyssey.
The first sleep typically started around dusk and lasted for about three to four hours. People would then wake up for a couple of hours, during which they might read, walk, think, write, pray, smoke, chat, or have sex. This period was known as "the watching" and was a time for relaxation and calmness. The second sleep began around midnight and lasted until morning.
The two-part sleep pattern was common for thousands of years, with references to it appearing in Charles Dickens' "Barnaby Rudge" (1840) and Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" from the 1500s. It was only in the late 17th century that references to "first and second sleep" began to disappear, starting with the upper classes in Northern Europe and gradually spreading to the rest of Western society.
The advent of modern lighting also played a role in disrupting the two-part sleep pattern. With more light available, people engaged in more nighttime activities, leading to exhaustion. By the 1920s, the idea of a first and second sleep had receded from social consciousness, and a continuous seven-to-nine-hour unbroken sleep became the norm.
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The shift to single sleep began in upper-class Northern Europe
The upper classes in Northern Europe started to abandon the traditional bi-modal sleep pattern, which consisted of two sleeps separated by a period of wakefulness. This change can be attributed to the emergence of artificial lighting, which extended the duration of daily activities and left people exhausted, making them desire a continuous night's rest.
The Industrial Revolution also played a pivotal role in this transformation. The rise of industry and the emphasis on efficiency influenced sleep habits. The notion of a structured eight-hour sleep pattern became associated with productivity and modernity.
Additionally, the availability of artificial light and the increasing demands of industrialization disrupted our natural sleep cycles. The desire for a single, consolidated sleep period became a symbol of discipline and a rejection of self-indulgence.
The transition to a single sleep pattern was a gradual process, and it's important to note that it occurred within a specific social and historical context. Today, while we strive for uninterrupted sleep, it's worth acknowledging that our ancestors' sleep patterns were once quite different, and there is some evidence that split sleep schedules can offer comparable benefits to consolidated sleep.
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Technology and artificial light have disrupted natural sleep cycles
For centuries, humans slept in two shifts, with a period of wakefulness in between. This bi-modal sleep pattern was the standard, accepted way to sleep. References to the "first sleep" and "second sleep" can be found in literature, court documents, personal papers, and ephemera from the past. For example, in Charles Dickens' "Barnaby Rudge" (1840), a character wakes from their "first sleep" and throws open the window.
The shift from bi-modal to uni-modal sleep occurred around the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries. The advent of modern lighting led to an explosion in nighttime activity, leaving people exhausted. The desire for efficiency and productivity promoted by industrialization also contributed to the shift.
Today, technology and artificial light continue to disrupt natural sleep cycles. The prevalence of smartphones, LED lighting, and screens provides constant stimulation, inhibiting our ability to fall asleep. This has led to an increase in sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and alcoholism.
To improve sleep quality, it may be necessary to reduce exposure to technology and artificial light before bedtime. Creating a dark and calm environment can help signal to the body that it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Additionally, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene can help regulate sleep cycles.
While the benefits of bi-modal sleep are debated, some people may find that it suits their body clock and work schedule better. However, today's society often does not allow for the flexibility required to maintain a split sleep schedule, and the preference for uni-modal sleep is deeply ingrained in modern culture.
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Two sleeps may be more natural but require significant lifestyle changes
For centuries, humans slept in two shifts, with a period of wakefulness in between. This bi-modal sleep pattern was common before the 1800s, with people sleeping in two shorter periods over a 12-hour range. The first sleep started around dusk, followed by a wakeful period from midnight to 2 a.m., and then a second sleep until morning.
This sleep pattern was referenced in literature, court documents, personal papers, and medical records, indicating it was common knowledge at the time. For example, in Charles Dickens' "Barnaby Rudge" (1840), a character wakes from their "first sleep" and throws open the window.
While this bi-modal sleep pattern may be more natural, it requires significant lifestyle changes to implement in today's world. Firstly, it demands a lot of darkness, which is only naturally possible during the winter months. Secondly, it requires changing our modern, electric lifestyle. J.D. Moyer and his family experienced a bi-modal sleep pattern unintentionally when they went a month without electric light.
To successfully maintain a split sleep schedule, timing is crucial. Sleep must commence when there is a strong drive for sleep and during a low circadian point to fall asleep quickly and maintain sleep. However, this may not always be feasible due to work schedules and other demands of modern life.
Additionally, while some studies suggest that split sleep can provide comparable benefits to consolidated sleep if total sleep time is maintained, performance and safety may still be impaired if wake-up and start work times are very early. Furthermore, it is generally thought that a continuous seven to nine-hour unbroken sleep is best for feeling refreshed.
Therefore, while a bi-modal sleep pattern may be more natural, adopting it in today's world would require significant lifestyle changes and flexibility in work schedules, which may not be practical or desirable for everyone.
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Split-shift sleep schedules can benefit performance and safety
For centuries, humans slept in two shifts, with a period of wakefulness in between. This bi-modal sleep pattern was the standard, accepted way to sleep. References to this practice can be found in literature, court documents, personal papers, and ephemera from the past. For example, in Charles Dickens' "Barnaby Rudge" (1840), a character wakes up from their "first sleep" and throws open the window.
The first sleep typically started around dusk and lasted for about three to four hours. People then woke up for a couple of hours, engaging in activities like reading, walking, thinking, praying, or having sex. This wakeful period was characterized by a sense of calmness and was likened to meditation. The second sleep began after this intermission and lasted until morning.
The shift from bi-modal to uni-modal sleep occurred around the late 17th century, coinciding with the Industrial Revolution. The advent of modern lighting and the desire for efficiency contributed to this change, as people increasingly viewed staying up all night and sleeping during the day as self-indulgent.
Today, maintaining a split-shift sleep schedule can be challenging due to the demands of modern life. However, recent studies have shown that split sleep can provide comparable benefits for performance to one continuous sleep, as long as the total sleep time over 24 hours remains adequate (around seven to eight hours). Additionally, split-shift schedules can benefit safety, particularly for night shift workers, as they get at least some opportunity to sleep at night and do not have to sustain alertness for extended periods.
While split-shift sleep may not be practical for everyone, it is an option to consider, especially for those who struggle with maintaining sleep throughout the night. It is essential to note that performance and safety can be impaired if wake-up and start work times are in the early hours of the morning.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is evidence that humans used to sleep in two shifts, with a period of wakefulness in between.
References to insomnia began to appear in the late 19th century, around the time our sleep consolidated. By the 1920s, the idea of a first and second sleep had disappeared from our social consciousness.
The advent of modern lighting meant there was an explosion in nighttime activity, leaving people exhausted. The rise of industrialization and the desire for efficiency also contributed to the shift towards a continuous sleep pattern. Technology and stress have also been cited as factors.
