Natural Sleep Cycle
Tips on Restoring the Natural Sleep Cycle to Wake Up Well
The sleep cycle has been governed by patterns of light and darkness for thousands of years. Our bodies are naturally encoded to fall asleep soon after the descent of night’s curtain and to wake with the appearance of the dawn. However, artificial light has changed the way we schedule our day-to-day lives, and most of us slumber for less than seven hours at a stretch. Our reliance on indoor lighting further compounds our disassociation from the natural cycles of light and darkness that would otherwise preside over our sleep.
The Natural Sleep Cycle –Effects on Body and Mind
When our bodies and minds are attuned to the world’s natural rhythms, we feel calmer, more centered, and more energetic while awake. Sleep is also more satisfying when the sleep cycle matches patterns of worldly light and darkness because we afford ourselves more than enough time for restoration and rejuvenation.
Restoring the Natural Sleep Cycle
The team at DailyOM says it’s possible to return to a healthy, natural sleep cycle by making a few small changes. The best way is to mimic the passage of the day by changing the quality of the light. Sleeping without heavy drapery or shades is best so you can wake up with the sun. If sleeping by a curtain-less window is not an option, use a dawn simulator lamp that imitates the sun by growing steadily brighter with the coming of the height of morning.
Synchronizing the Sleep Cycle with Earthly Rhythms
Changing your sleep patterns to be in sync with the daily cycle of light and darkness is easy, and you’ll likely feel more alive when you’re sleeping and waking rhythms are in alignment to those of the earth. Let Mother Nature’s own phases guide you to wellness, and you’ll discover you have more waking hours to spend outside in the summertime while you'll ensure you get plenty of sleep in the winter when you likely will need it most.
If you are suffering from a sleep problem and looking for additional help regarding the sleep cycle, consult with a doctor or visit a sleep center for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Disclaimer: Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease.
