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Sleeping Poorly During a Full Moon: Fact or Fiction?
Eating, drinking, a good night’s sleep—these are all basic human needs. After just 24 hours without sleep, we already experience unpleasant effects such as reduced concentration. And although there’s a lot you can do yourself to improve your sleep, there are also factors beyond your control. Sleeping poorly during a full moon is a commonly mentioned issue. But does the moon really affect our sleep? Or is it just a myth? We looked into it for you.
Cause of Sleeping Poorly During a Full Moon
If you often sleep poorly, you’re probably looking for a cause. Sleeping badly during a full moon might be one possibility. But to say that with certainty, we need to look at scientific research.
Do You Sleep Worse During a Full Moon?
Several studies suggest that people do indeed sleep worse during a full moon. In 2013, Swiss researchers accidentally discovered a connection between the full moon and sleep. They compared sleep patterns with the lunar calendar—and what did they find? Around the full moon, participants took five minutes longer to fall asleep and produced less melatonin, the hormone that prepares your body for sleep.
Swedish researchers approached the phenomenon of “sleeping poorly during a full moon” from a different angle. They had participants sleep in a room without windows, so that (moon)light could not influence them. They too found a connection between poor sleep and lunar phases. On average, participants slept 20 minutes less during a full moon. Men in particular seemed to be affected.
The Opposite View
Before we conclude that sleeping poorly during a full moon is a proven fact, it’s important to mention that some studies do not find a link between sleep quality and the moon. One such study was conducted by the Max Planck Institute, a leading research institution. Researchers compared the nights of more than a thousand participants and found no evidence that people sleep worse during a full moon.
Fact or Fiction?
So the answers to questions like “why do you sleep poorly during a full moon?” and “why do children sleep poorly during a full moon?” are not that straightforward. Science doesn’t seem to agree—at least not yet. But why do so many people feel like they sleep worse during a full moon?
Sleep scientist Merijn van de Laar from Maastricht University offers a possible explanation. The concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy plays a key role here: because we hear so much about sleeping poorly during a full moon, we go to bed with that expectation when we know it’s a full moon. This creates tension instead of relaxation—and the result? Poorer sleep.
Merijn’s conclusion is that the belief that you will sleep worse during a full moon likely has more impact on your sleep than the position of the moon itself. So, do you sleep worse during a full moon? According to this view, the answer is no.
Sleep Better During a Full Moon?
Whether or not you feel affected by the full moon, we’re happy to do everything we can to help optimize your sleep. Because what should you do when you’re sleeping poorly? Full moon or not, these tips can help you sleep like a baby:
Get enough physical activity.
Maintain a consistent sleep routine.
Avoid caffeine and screens before bedtime.
Looking for more tips to sleep better (during a full moon)? Check out all our advice for a better night’s sleep
- Sources: Quest & Universiteit van Nederland
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