Although it seems like an old wives’ tale, research shows that the moon phases can impact a person’s sleep.
This article provides information about the lunar cycle and how knowing the date of the next full moon could help you get more sleep.
Lunar Cycles
How much of the moon we see each night is dictated by where the earth, moon, and sun are in relation to one another as they rotate. A full moon occurs every 29.5 days when the sunlight from the earth reflects off the side of the moon that we can see from earth. This creates the bright orb we associate with the full moon.
The opposite of a full moon is a new moon. During this stage, the sunlight reflects off the side of the moon that we cannot see from earth. From our vantage point, it looks like there is no moon on those nights.
The Science
Anecdotally, nearly everyone has experienced disrupted sleep during a full moon or knows someone who has. Surprisingly, science backs this phenomenon up, showing that a full moon does cause people to sleep less.
Here’s what researchers have found:
A study of three different societies in Argentina and America found that people fell asleep later and slept less on nights with more moonlight, usually caused by a full moon. One study found that children slept 1% less during the full moon. A study found that people woke more during the night when the moon was full, reducing overall sleep by 25 minutes. Another study found that people had lower quality of sleep during the full moon. Another study found that, on average, people slept 20 minutes less, took five extra minutes to fall asleep, and had 30% less deep sleep during a full moon.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure why the moon might impact sleep. The light from the full moon may affect the body’s internal clock and its production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep. Humans may have evolved socially to take advantage of the natural light produced by a full moon before there was access to light with the flick of a switch.
However, research shows that people sleep more poorly during a full moon, even when they’re in a dark room, so the impact of a full moon goes beyond just light exposure. A full moon can affect the earth’s magnetic field or gravitational pull, but the connections between these factors and sleep have not been explored.
Lunar Cycles and Health
While research on the lunar cycle and sleep has improved, there’s a need to better understand how the moon phases affect other areas of health. A small study reported that menstrual cycles might align with the moon, mainly when exposure to artificial light was limited.
Some research has indicated that episodes of mental health illness and of violence may increase during the full moon. Still, researchers haven’t been able to document the often-touted theory that more women give birth on nights with a full moon.
Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep
No matter the lunar cycle, focusing on good sleep hygiene can help you get a better night’s sleep. Incorporate these tips for a healthier bedtime routine:
Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. Create a calm, relaxing space in the bedroom, free from screens . Limit your caffeine intake in the afternoons and evenings. Exercise in the first half of the day. Create a consistent bedtime routine.
Don’t force yourself to stay in bed if you’re tossing and turning. Instead, relax quietly in another area of your home until you feel sleepy.
Summary
The idea that a full moon can disrupt sleep isn’t just an old wives’ tale. Researchers have found that people take longer to fall asleep and sleep less when a full moon is out, even in a dark room. Despite the lunar cycle, practicing good sleep hygiene, like having a consistent bedtime routine, can help you get better sleep.
A Word From Verywell
Whether you have black-out curtains or are sleeping beneath the stars, a full moon can affect your ability to fall asleep. Luckily, the full moon only comes once every 29.5 days, so if you didn’t sleep well last night, you might have better luck in the coming days.
