Evie Summers
Before the invention of electricity, humans used to sleep in two phases within a 24-hour span. This practice was common in many parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, North America, South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Australia. People would usually complete their tasks as the sun went down and have their first sleep. After about four hours, they would wake up and participate in various activities, including chores, socialising, or intimacy. This period of wakefulness was known as the watch. The two-phase sleep pattern is thought to have originated in the upper classes of Northern Europe and gradually spread to the rest of Western society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sleep phases | Two |
| Sleep pattern | Segmented |
| Sleep duration | 4 hours |
| Wake duration | 1-3 hours |
| Sleep locations | In beds, on straw or dried vegetation |
| Sleep aids | Burning specific types of wood, pigeon halves on the head, camomile baths, lavender |
| Sleep positions | Right side first, then left side |
| Sleep timings | First sleep during the day or from evening to midnight, second sleep from early morning to daybreak |
| Activities between sleep sessions | House chores, visiting neighbours, storytelling, sex |
| Duration of activities between sleep sessions | 1 hour |
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What You'll Learn
The two-phase sleep pattern
Anthropological studies suggest that this segmented sleep pattern was prevalent in Europe, Africa, North and South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Australia. The practice is also mentioned in medieval literature, such as Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" and William Baldwin's "Beware the Cat."
During the period of wakefulness between the two sleeps, people engaged in various activities. These included house chores, visiting neighbours, storytelling, and intimate activities. Doctor's manuals from the 16th century even recommended that couples have sex after the first sleep, as it was considered the best time for conception and enjoyment.
While monophasic sleep (one main nighttime sleep period) is currently recommended for most healthy individuals, some experts argue that the two-phase sleep pattern may have benefits in specific contexts, such as improving performance and safety for night shift workers. However, it is important to consult with a physician before significantly altering one's sleep patterns, as adequate total sleep time is crucial for overall health and well-being.
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Sleep positions and social conventions
For much of history, biphasic sleep, or sleeping in two phases, was the norm. People would typically have a first sleep during the day or from evening to midnight, and a second sleep during the early morning hours or from midnight to daybreak. This practice was observed in various parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, North America, South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Australia, before the industrial era.
During the medieval period, sleeping arrangements followed strict social conventions and designated sleeping positions. For example, in a typical family, female children would lie on one side of the bed, with the oldest nearest the wall, followed by the mother and father, then the male children, also arranged by age, and finally non-family members.
The practice of biphasic sleep declined with the invention of electricity, which allowed people to work later into the evenings and enjoy nighttime activities. As a result, people dropped the first sleep and adopted one long sleep shift instead of two shorter ones. This shift towards monophasic sleep, or one main nighttime sleep period, is now recommended by experts for most healthy individuals.
However, some modern cultures still incorporate a form of biphasic sleep, such as the afternoon siesta in Spain, Italy, China, and Scandinavian countries. Additionally, some historians and anthropologists argue that the history of sleep can provide valuable insights into dealing with sleep problems and offer fresh perspectives on what constitutes a good night's sleep.
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Sleep aids and recipes
Sleep Aids
- Two-Phase Sleep: Anthropological studies suggest that sleeping in two phases was common before the industrial era. People would have their first sleep during the day or from evening to midnight, followed by a second sleep from the early morning hours to daybreak. During the period of wakefulness between sleeps, people engaged in various activities, including house chores, social visits, or storytelling.
- Sleep Positioning: In medieval times, sleep involved strict social conventions and designated sleeping positions. Female children slept on one side of the bed, with the oldest nearest the wall, followed by the mother, father, and then male children, also arranged by age.
- Natural Remedies: Burning specific types of wood in bedchambers was believed to aid sleep. Additionally, bathing in chamomile-infused water and using lavender were recommended for a restful night.
Sleep Recipes
- Diet and Digestion: Doctor's manuals from centuries ago linked sleep with digestion and recommended specific postures for sleeping. It was advised to rest first on the right side to aid digestion and then turn to the left side during the second half of the night.
- Herbal Remedies: While some recommendations were more familiar, such as chamomile and lavender, other recipes were quite bizarre. One such recipe suggested cutting a pigeon in half and sticking each half to the sides of one's head to promote sleep.
While some of these historical practices may seem unusual by today's standards, they showcase the cultural, social, and ideological aspects of sleep habits throughout history. It is important to consult with healthcare professionals before adopting any sleep aids or recipes, especially when considering the use of sleep medications or significant changes to sleep patterns.
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The impact of electricity
The invention of electricity and electric lighting had a profound impact on human sleep patterns and habits. Before electricity, humans' sleep was dictated by the presence or absence of sunlight. They would typically follow a biphasic sleep pattern, going to bed around 9 or 10 pm, sleeping for three to four hours, then waking up for an hour or two to pray, meditate, or perform simple chores before going back to sleep until dawn. This type of sleep pattern was common before the Industrial Revolution, when long working days and factory schedules meant people had to compress their sleep into a single cycle.
With the advent of electricity and publicly lit streets, urban residents' sleep patterns shifted further. They could stay awake later, disrupting their natural melatonin production and circadian rhythms. Melatonin, a hormone that makes us feel sleepy, is typically produced two hours after the sun rises and increases again two hours after sunset. However, bright electric lights suppress its production, even with our eyes closed. This disruption of melatonin production has altered human sleep cycles, with people staying awake later and sleeping for fewer hours overall.
The invention of electricity also brought about changes in sleeping surfaces and environments. Before electricity, humans slept on makeshift surfaces like piles of straw or grass bedding. As societies advanced, primitive mattresses were fashioned from stuffed fabrics, and bed frames became common, at least since ancient Egypt. With electricity, people could now control their sleeping environments with heating, cooling, and lighting, further altering their sleep habits.
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Sleep in non-Western cultures
Sleep is a biological necessity, but it is also influenced by cultural practices and traditions. While Western cultures often prioritise work over rest, other cultures have developed diverse approaches to sleep and rejuvenation.
In Japan, for example, the concept of "inemuri" or "being present while asleep" is widely accepted. Due to their busy work culture, Japanese people understand the importance of rest and will take short naps at their desks or during meetings, which is seen as a sign of dedication rather than laziness. Japanese sleeping arrangements also differ from Western cultures, with many sleeping on futons, thin mattresses placed directly on the floor, believed to promote better posture and circulation.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, hammocks are an integral part of daily life. They are used for sleeping, relaxation, and socialising, with the gentle rocking motion believed to promote deeper sleep. In Brazil and Venezuela, hammock-making is considered an art form. In contrast, hammocks in El Salvador are used for protection against earthquakes.
In some African countries, such as Botswana and Zaire, locals do not follow a set sleep schedule. Instead, they sleep when they feel like it, be it during the day, evening, or night. This flexible approach to sleep may help reduce sleep anxiety and promote better rest.
Additionally, co-sleeping with children is a common practice in many non-Western cultures. In a survey of 100 societies, American parents were the only ones who created a separate room for their babies to sleep in.
These examples illustrate how sleep habits and attitudes vary across non-Western cultures, showcasing the diverse ways in which different societies view and prioritise sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
For much of human history, people slept in two phases within a 24-hour span. People would usually complete their tasks as the sun went down and then have their first sleep. After about four hours, they would wake up and participate in various activities, including house chores, visiting neighbours, telling stories, or talking about their dreams. They would then go back to bed for their second sleep.
The two-phase sleep pattern was common before the industrial era and the invention of electricity, which allowed people to work until later in the evening and enjoy nighttime activities. The two-phase sleep pattern may also have a biological basis, as our body clock experiences a reduction in alertness in the early afternoon, known as the 'post-lunch dip'.
Sleep involved a number of strict social conventions, including avoiding physical contact or too much fidgeting, and designated sleeping positions. For example, female children would typically lie at one side of the bed, with the oldest nearest the wall, followed by the mother and father, then male children, again arranged by age.
