The full moon is often in the middle of some strange phenomena, such as crime peaks or more births. But it can also be the reason why we can’t sleep. Is this a myth or is there really some truth in it? Discover some interesting theories about whether the full moon influence our sleep, in this article.

A scientific experiment

A few years ago, in 2013, Swiss scientists from the University of Basel conducted a study on the sleep behaviour of 33 volunteers during the full moon. The study was conducted in a laboratory, the volunteers were all healthy, did not consume caffeine or alcohol and above all did not have any insomnia problems. Thanks to this experiment, the scientists were able to see that the full moon did indeed have an impact on sleep and this is what they observed:

• Volunteers needed 5 extra minutes to fall asleep
• The full moon takes away an average of 20 minutes of sleep per night
• The duration of deep sleep is reduced by 30%.
• The level of melatonin, the sleep hormone, is lower
• The next day you feel tired

But does this experience really justify the fact that the full moon has an influence on our quality of sleep? We are not entirely convinced. This kind of experiments are done many times by different scientists, in different countries around the world and the results are not always the same…which is not entirely surprising 😉

A myth, a mystery?

Is there really a link between the moon cycle and our sleep? Researchers and scientists tend to tell us about gravitational forces, human evolution or the biological clock, but without knowing exactly why. Others also talk about the effect of the light created by the full moon, as this would tend to make us fall asleep later.

But in the end, all the studies carried out in the context of this phenomenon do not really highlight the link between the full moon and our sleep. They are only theories and we have no real explanation. So it will remain a mystery.

How to sleep well on full moon nights?

Here are some tips for a good night’s sleep! Full moon or not, we must rest well 😉

So obviously a healthy lifestyle is essential, it is the key to everything but also to a good restful sleep.

Then here is what you can do in addition:

• Your diet is also very important. Avoid fast sugars and gluten as they disturb digestion! Find here our article about it!
• To prevent the strong light of the full moon from disturbing your sleep, place blackout curtains or blinds in your bedroom.
• Adjust the temperature of your bedroom, ideally below 19°, as this is the temperature that is conducive to sleep.
• Adjust your bed linen according to the season, as this also has an impact on your quality of sleep.
• Avoid screens before sleeping! Blue light reduces the production of melatonin.
• Try to relax, stress and anxiety are often the first causes of insomnia.

Now that you have all the tips for a good night’s sleep, no more insomnia and full moon stress 😉