full moon Archive - Simply Healthy Sleep - The online-magazine for your perfect sleep experience

A long time, scientists disagreed whether and how full moon is influencing sleep. The data analysis of a Swiss research team of the Centre of Chronobiology, Psychiatric Clinics Universities Basel, Switzerland, revealed new insights.

By comparing data of previous studies connected with phases of the moon the scientists succeeded in proving changes in sleep. Christian Cajochen and his team showed in their study that nights with full moon sleep is shorter and worse than in other nights. According to their findings, hormones might be responsible for a worse sleep, too.

Based on previous studies, they took a closer look to the sleep-wake-rhythm – considering the different phases of the moon. The analysis has shown that test persons needed five minutes longer to fall asleep and stated that they had a worse sleep. Furthermore, the scientists were able to prove that the melatonin level was lower and the phases of deep sleep shorter.

Mood and moon phases

It cannot be excluded that the moon is influencing other aspects of our behavior, too, like mood or mental performance, for example. Now, if today you are felling somehow argumentative or restless it might be due to full moon.

Receive further information in our sleep-healthy-guidebook “sleep yourself young, fit and successful”, free of cost.

source: Journal “Current Biology”: “Evidence that the Lunar Cycle Influences Human Sleep”, Christian Cajochen et al., July 2013

Parents can tell you a thing or two about it: the moon is full and the youngsters become exhausting and often have a bad sleep. Here, you only can prepare to be patient, take a deep breath and hope that this phase is passing by quickly.

Speaking of taking a deep breath: Breathing techniques are well-known and proven relaxation methods that generally facilitate falling asleep. Practice breathing techniques already before falling asleep difficulties arise. It is important that the intervals of exhaling are longer than the intervals of inhaling. Proper breathing leads to relaxation and significantly eases falling asleep, not only in nights of full moon.

A pleasant scent in the bedroom not only simplifies and supports inclusion and processing of learned things it also significantly eases relaxation. For example, balm and lavender are proven fragrances that support relaxation. Be sure that the scent is very soft when infants stay in the room.

The smaller the child the bigger the need to be close to the body. Body contact with a trusted person gives safety and security. Your baby will be much calmer and more balanced in the evening when you already carry it and cuddle with it during the daytime. And in case sleeping simply won’t come in a night of full moon – simply go to bed with your baby. This will not only sooth your baby but will present you the possibility to catch up on lost sleep.

Last but not least a hint that not only applies for nights with full moon: light is an absolute sleep disturber. It inhibits production of the sleeping hormone melatonin. Always make sure – and especially in nights with full moon – that no light is entering your bedroom. Only than enough of melatonin can be produced and released so that sleep is able to arise.

Sleepless at full moon – myth or reality?

Full moon and sleep disturbances of children