We humans can do many things for better sleep like darkening our room, meditating and listening to calm music. These may help, but none of us are the same when it comes to sleep, and it’s for good reason.
Sleep is much deeper than you think. Almost everything about sleep relates to our biology, which was shaped by our ancestors from many years ago.
“Humans are not supposed to be looking for food at 7 p.m. because all of our genes are for finding food or eating during the day. When the sun goes down we are supposed to be in a safe place – not eating,” said Dr. Jaime Boero, a Marshfield Clinic Health System neurologist specializing in sleep medicine. “When we are eating two or three hours after the sun goes down, we’re going against all of our biology. We are going against 1 million years of our close ancestors.”
For help navigating 1 million years of sleep biology, use these six tips to help you sleep like a caveman.
Related Shine365 posts:
Trouble falling asleep? How to adjust
Tired after a full night’s sleep? 3 reasons why
Bedtime tips to help kids rest easy
I have been told recently that sleeping within five feet of an electric outlet or any sort of powered electronics which put off a magnetic impulse will disrupt sleep. Most beds have outlets nearby connected to lamps or clocks and the disruption occurs (according to my source) even if there are no lights from the device. Can you confirm or refute this "theory"?
Hi, Jim. Thank you for your patience.
I shared your question with Dr. Boero. He said, "To date there is no scientific evidence to substantiate effect of electromagnetic fields on sleep or any other physiological parameter and there is no correlation between perceived effects and actual magnetic fields effect. Please see this link to the only scientific study on this matter: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25704188 ."
Thank you for reading Shine365. -Kirstie