Colin Snow
Sleep is a natural function, much like breathing and eating. However, the way we sleep has changed significantly over the years. In the past, people would often sleep in two shifts with a period of wakefulness in between, a practice known as biphasic or segmented sleep. This was the norm in pre-industrial Europe, with people going to bed a few hours after dusk, waking up for an hour or two, and then sleeping until dawn. During the wakeful period, people would relax, ponder their dreams, or engage in activities like sewing or reading. This type of sleep schedule may have been more common due to cultural shifts, migration patterns, and technological advancements. Today, sleep habits and routines have evolved, and most people aim for a continuous 7-10 hour sleep cycle, with 8 hours being the recommended minimum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sleep episodes | Two |
| Sleep schedule | First sleep: a couple of hours from as early as 21:00 to 23:00; Second sleep: from midnight to dawn |
| Sleep duration | Varies; some sources claim that eight hours of sleep is a modern myth |
| Sleep patterns | Monophasic vs biphasic |
| Sleep aids | Moon, stars, oil lamps, or "rush lights" |
| Sleep positions | Sitting upright, leaning against the headboard |
| Sleep disruptions | Threat of murder, freezing to death, lice, pain, fire, strangers |
| Sleep companions | Strangers |
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What You'll Learn
Interrupted sleep was perceived as normal
Interrupted sleep was once perceived as normal. In fact, the idea of sleeping through the whole night is a relatively new concept. The practice of biphasic or segmented sleep, also known as "first sleep" and "second sleep", was common during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. People would typically go to bed a few hours after dusk, sleep for a couple of hours, then wake up for an hour or two to relax, ponder their dreams, or perform ordinary tasks before finishing off the night with their second sleep. This practice was not unique to Europe, with evidence of its existence in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East.
The first record of biphasic sleep was found in the 8th century BC in the Greek epic The Odyssey, and the last hints of its existence dated to the early 20th century. It gradually fell out of favor during the late 17th century due to the spread of electric lighting and the Industrial Revolution, with its capitalist belief that sleep was a waste of time. The notion of a continuous eight-hour sleep every night is a modern concept that may be considered a myth by some historians.
The practice of segmented sleep may have been forgotten, but it offers valuable insights into the history of sleep and can help sleep scientists gain a fresh perspective on what constitutes a good night's sleep. It also provides new ways to cope with and think about modern sleep problems. Understanding how our ancestors slept can help the sleep-deprived individuals of today. For instance, those who experience sleep maintenance insomnia may benefit from a biphasic sleep schedule, as it allows for more flexibility and aligns with their natural sleep patterns.
While the practice of biphasic sleep has been largely phased out, it still exists in certain cultures, such as Mediterranean, Hispanic, and Muslim communities. However, it may not be practical for everyone due to work and family obligations, and some individuals may feel sleep-deprived when following this schedule. Nonetheless, the concept of biphasic sleep challenges the idea of a single, uninterrupted sleep as the only healthy sleep pattern and highlights the dynamic nature of sleep habits across time and cultures.
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Sleep schedules were biphasic or segmented
Sleep schedules in the past were quite different from what is considered the norm today. Historians and anthropologists, including A. Roger Ekirch, have found evidence that segmented sleep patterns, also known as biphasic sleep, were common during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. This involved a "first sleep" and a "second sleep", with a period of wakefulness in between.
Ekirch discovered references to this sleep pattern in various sources, including letters, diaries, medical textbooks, philosophical writings, newspaper articles, plays, and even ballads. The practice was not unique to a particular region or culture, with evidence of its existence in locations such as England, France, Italy, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East.
During the period of wakefulness, people would engage in various activities. In medieval times, people might add wood to the fire, take remedies, or go to urinate. Some may even take the opportunity to get a head start on their daily chores or tasks, such as patching cloth, combing wool, or brewing beer. In more modern times, as referenced in an article by sleep researchers Melinda Jackson and Siobhan Banks, people might relax, ponder their dreams, have sex, sew, chop wood, or read during their waking hours.
The practice of segmented sleep gradually declined during the late 17th century, with the last hints of its existence dating to the early 20th century. The shift towards sleeping through the entire night is attributed to the spread of electric lighting and the Industrial Revolution, which promoted the idea that sleep was a waste of time.
While biphasic sleep is no longer common in modern society due to work and family obligations, it is still prevalent in certain cultures, such as Mediterranean, Hispanic, and Muslim communities. Understanding the history of sleep and the concept of biphasic sleep can provide fresh perspectives on what constitutes a good night's sleep and offer new ways to cope with modern-day sleep problems.
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People slept on piles of straw or makeshift mattresses
Before the invention of the modern spring mattress in 1899, people used a variety of materials to sleep on, including piles of straw, woven mats, and cloth sacks filled with hay, chaff, or straw. Straw mattresses were used by ancient Romans and British soldiers in World War II, and they continued to be common even into the 19th century. In the Middle Ages, people slept on straw and skin mattresses, and in preindustrial times, people used materials such as earth, animal skins, and leaves.
In the 18th century, servants and enslaved people in America often slept on straw or hay pallets on the floor, sometimes in attics or hallways. Native Americans also used wooden bedsteads with woven mats and animal skins for bedding.
While some historians argue that eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is a modern concept, others suggest that our ancestors in the preindustrial world slept just as well, if not better, than we do today. They propose that the belief that the Industrial Revolution and electricity disrupted sleep patterns is a myth. Instead, they argue that sleep was linked to physical and mental health and was a topic of concern and obsession, just as it is today.
The practice of biphasic or twice-sleeping, where people slept in two shifts with a period of wakefulness in between, was common in the preindustrial world. This practice was found in various locations, including England, France, Italy, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East. During the wakeful period, people tended to ordinary tasks or more serious work, such as farming or household chores.
While modern mattresses and hygiene may be considered luxuries, our ancestors adapted to their sleeping conditions. Their physically demanding lifestyles may have contributed to their ability to "hit the hay" more easily, and their bodies likely became conditioned to sleeping on less comfortable surfaces.
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Sleep duration was 10-12 hours per day
Sleep habits have evolved over time, and the concept of a full 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a relatively new phenomenon. In the past, it was common for people to sleep for a total of 10-12 hours, but this was divided into two separate segments, known as biphasic or segmented sleep. This practice was prevalent in preindustrial societies across the globe, including Europe, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East.
The first record of biphasic sleep was found in the 8th century BC in the Greek epic "The Odyssey", and it continued to be referenced in various forms of media until the early 20th century. During the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, segmented sleep was a regular habit, with people experiencing a peaceful wake period between their first and second sleep. Instead of adhering to a set bedtime, people would typically head to bed a few hours after dusk, wake up for an hour or two, and then finish off the night with their second sleep, lasting until dawn.
During this wakeful period, people would relax, ponder their dreams, have conversations or sexual intimacy, pray, read by candlelight, or engage in light activities such as sewing or chopping wood. This practice of segmented sleep gradually declined during the late 17th century, coinciding with the spread of electric lighting and the Industrial Revolution. The capitalist belief that sleep was a waste of time led to the evolution of sleeping through the entire night in a single stretch.
The understanding of sleep habits in the past provides valuable insights into what constitutes a good night's sleep and offers alternative perspectives on modern sleep problems. It is worth noting that the concept of sleep hygiene or optimal sleep practices is constantly evolving, and what is considered proper sleep hygiene today may be viewed differently in the future.
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Daytime naps were common in warmer climates
Daytime naps were a common occurrence in warmer climates, where the practice of biphasic or segmented sleep was prevalent. This involved sleeping in two distinct segments, with a period of wakefulness in between. The concept of a continuous eight-hour sleep schedule is a relatively modern notion, with references to biphasic sleep dating as far back as the 8th century BC in The Odyssey, and its practice continuing until the early 20th century.
The practice of segmented sleep was not unique to a particular region or culture, with evidence of its existence in England, France, Italy, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, and the Middle East. During the wakeful period, individuals would engage in various activities such as sewing, chopping wood, reading, praying, or visiting friends, relying on moonlight or oil lamps for illumination.
In warmer climates, the daytime siesta is a well-known example of biphasic sleep. The word "siesta" originates from the Latin "hora sexta," which translates to "the sixth hour." In many warm regions, the hottest part of the day occurs around noon or the sixth hour, making it an ideal time for a midday rest. This tradition is still observed in many Mediterranean, Hispanic, and Muslim communities, where the midday heat can be oppressive.
The practice of napping during the hottest part of the day provides a period of rest and relaxation, allowing individuals to recharge and escape the intense heat. It also aligns with the natural rhythm of the body, as our energy levels tend to dip in the afternoon, making it a suitable time for a brief slumber. Additionally, in pre-industrial societies, the daytime nap served a practical purpose, providing a break from manual labour or other physically demanding tasks.
While the daytime nap was once a common practice in warmer climates, the modern world has seen a shift towards a monophasic sleep schedule. The demands of work and family obligations often require individuals to stay up later and rise earlier, leaving less time for a midday nap. However, the legacy of the daytime nap persists in certain cultures, highlighting the importance of rest and its ability to provide a much-needed respite from the heat.
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Frequently asked questions
The biphasic sleep schedule, also known as segmented sleep, is a sleep pattern where sleep is divided into two sessions. This was the norm in preindustrial Europe, with people going to bed a few hours after dusk, waking up for an hour or two, and then sleeping until dawn.
During the waking period, people would relax, ponder their dreams, have sex, read, sew, chop wood, or even visit their neighbours.
Segmented sleep gradually fell out of favour during the late 17th century, and by the 1920s, all references to biphasic sleep had ceased.
The average adult used to sleep around 10-12 hours per day, with the first session starting just after sunset and supper.
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