Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Struggling to fall asleep at night isn't just a modern problem. Charles Dickens famously battled insomnia, often roaming the gas-lit streets of London in the dead of night. But his restless routine wasn’t unique—centuries ago, sleeping in two distinct phases was common practice. A 2015 study published in Current Biology found that pre-industrial societies in Tanzania, Namibia, and Bolivia also followed this pattern, suggesting it was once a natural way to rest. Modern sleep researchers now refer to it as polyphasic sleep, according to a report by Inverse—but does it still have benefits today?

Representative Image Source: Pexels | Cottonbro


Studies on these traditional societies revealed a surprising nightly routine. Lacking access to electricity, people in these communities relied on firelight after dark. Instead of sleeping straight through the night, they would rest for four to five hours, wake up to read, walk, or eat, and then return to sleep later. This approach bears a resemblance to Spain’s siesta culture, where people take afternoon breaks to nap or relax.

Representative Image Source: Pexels | Olly

A concept well-known in sleep psychiatry, polyphasic sleep refers to breaking sleep into multiple shorter periods rather than one long stretch. Some of history’s most brilliant minds—including Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Bonaparte, Salvador Dalí, and Albert Einstein—are believed to have followed this sleep pattern.


"These historical figures' quirky sleep habits may seem eccentric, but they offer us a unique lens through which to explore the human experience of sleep." — Alen Juginović

The shift away from segmented sleep may be linked to technological advancements. Researchers from the 2015 study suggest that the widespread use of electric lighting, television, the internet, and caffeine has altered natural sleep cycles. They wrote, "The invention of the electric light, followed by the development of television, the Internet, and related technologies, along with increased caffeine usage, has greatly shortened sleep duration from ‘natural’ levels and disrupted its evolved timing." These changes, they argue, could be contributing to rising rates of obesity, mood disorders, and other health issues.

Giphy


One possible benefit of polyphasic sleep is its potential to fast-track deep sleep. Mathias Basner, a sleep psychiatry professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, explained this phenomenon to Inverse, stating, "If you look at the standard sleep period, our sleep is typically deepest at the beginning of the night, and then it's getting more and more shallow. You're basically capitalizing on this deeper sleep at the beginning of the sleep period."



"The brain needs time to come online again to fire up all the systems. It can take up to an hour or even longer, depending on which state you're awake from, to be fully alert again." — Mathias Basner

However, there are drawbacks to fragmented sleep cycles. Basner pointed out that transitioning between sleeping and waking states isn’t instantaneous. "The brain needs time to come online again to fire up all the systems," he said. Waking up multiple times can lead to "sleep inertia," making it harder to be fully alert, potentially affecting productivity and focus during the day.

Representative Image Source: Pexels | Cottonbro

Despite these challenges, Roger Ekirch, a leading expert on segmented sleep, believes it could be helpful for insomniacs. He told Harper’s Magazine that this type of sleep might reduce anxiety for those who struggle to fall back asleep, making it easier to rest again. However, for most people, maintaining a consistent 7-8 hour sleep schedule is still ideal. "There's no going back because conditions have changed," Ekirch told BBC.

Giphy


While history suggests that polyphasic sleep was once common, modern lifestyles may not be suited to its demands. However, understanding these historical sleep patterns could offer insights into improving sleep quality, especially for those struggling with insomnia or irregular schedules.

More For You

United States Post Office at night

Sweet story delivery!

Photo by Joe Han on Unsplash

Woman with Down syndrome named Grace, 26, befriends favorite postman named Will

The most unlikely friendships can develop in the most unlikely places. For best friends Will and Grace (yep, just like the namesake NBC sitcom, Will & Grace), that place was their local post office.

Grace, a 26-year-old with Down syndrome, is an artist and entrepreneur who owns a small business called Candidly Kind. She started in March 2018 when she was a senior in high school after she was mistreated and turned down for a job. "Her mission since day one has been to spread light, love, and acceptance, and to give back to help people with disabilities," her mom Carrie explains in an Instagram video. With frequent packages to mail to her customers, Grace began making trips to her local post office, where she met Will, a postman working there who quickly became her favorite.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cybersecurity experts now say complex passwords do more harm than good
Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Antoni Shkraba

Cybersecurity experts now say complex passwords do more harm than good

For years, we've been told that long, complicated passwords—filled with random letters, numbers, and special characters—are the key to keeping our accounts secure. But new guidelines from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) suggest that this approach is outdated—and may actually make you less safe.

Instead of hard-to-remember combinations, experts now recommend using simpler, more memorable passwords that don’t require frequent changes, according to QBE European Operations.

Keep ReadingShow less
buzz lightyear, asl, sign language

Buzz Lightyear surprises Deaf and hard of hearing kids with sign language at Disney Land.

Wikipedia

Buzz Lightyear surprises deaf boy at Disneyland by communicating in sign language

When Estefani and Oscar (@thatdeaffamily), Deaf first generation Mexican-Americans, recently took their two children (their Deaf daughter, Everlyn, and Hard of Hearing son, Jabez) to Disneyland, they got the surprise of a lifetime. While saying hi to Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, he recognized that they were communicating with each other with American Sign Language (ASL).

To their delight, he stopped them and began to communicate in sign language. "Buzz Lightyear having a 'wait, they can sign?' moment 😆🥰," she captioned the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
During his adoption hearing, a 5-year-old raised his hand and left everyone in tears
Cover Image Source: YouTube

During his adoption hearing, a 5-year-old raised his hand and left everyone in tears

Adoption transforms lives, giving children a chance at love, stability, and a forever family. Every year, more than 250,000 children enter foster care, but not all find permanent homes. For one 5-year-old in Bernalillo, New Mexico, that dream finally came true—and he made sure everyone in the courtroom knew just how much it meant to him.

In a heartwarming moment captured on video and reported by USA TODAY, the young boy surprised his new mom, Jennifer Hubby, by speaking up during the adoption hearing. When the judge asked if anyone wanted to say something, the little boy raised his hand.

Keep ReadingShow less
Many hands stacked atop each other.

Representative Image: Most companies can endure the loss of an employee, but 10?

10 employees asked for a fair raise, when HR refused they had the perfect response

When employees give their best to a company, they expect fair compensation and respect in return. But when a group of ten workers was denied a raise and the basic amenities they needed, they decided to take a stand. Their story, shared by u/UnoriginallyGeneric on Reddit, highlights the power of collective action—and how standing up for your worth can lead to something better.

"Unlike many industries, we never shuttered during COVID."

— @UnoriginallyGeneric

During the pandemic, while many industries shut down, this workplace remained operational. The employee explained how they and their team worked tirelessly to keep things running smoothly, ensuring that no one caught COVID by being diligent with safety protocols.

Keep ReadingShow less