Buzz
While experts recommend sleeping for seven to eight hours each night, the reality is that most Americans fall short of this goal. Factors like stress and exposure to artificial light from screens are often cited as culprits disrupting our rest.
These ideas align with the widespread belief that modern, industrialized living has negatively impacted our well-being. For instance, the paleo diet, which mimics the eating habits of our ancient ancestors by avoiding grains and legumes, was the most popular online diet search in 2013. Interestingly, when it comes to sleep, prehistoric humans might not have fared much better than we do today.
A recent study published in Current Biology explores the sleep patterns of traditional hunter-gatherer societies in Tanzania, Namibia, and Bolivia. Researchers from UCLA and other institutions observed 94 individuals from groups such as the Hadza, San, and Tsimane to gain insights into how pre-industrial humans might have slept.
Contrary to popular belief, hunter-gatherer societies did not retire to bed immediately after sunset. On average, they remained awake for about three and a half hours post-dusk, indicating that artificial lighting isn’t the sole reason for our late nights. These groups slept fewer than seven hours nightly, averaging six and a half hours of sleep without daytime naps. Their sleep duration varied seasonally, with six hours in summer and seven in winter.
The notion that people historically slept in two segments, waking up midway through the night, doesn’t hold true for the studied groups. They rarely awoke during the night, instead sleeping until temperatures reached their lowest point in a 24-hour cycle and rising consistently each morning.
Lead researcher Gandhi Yetish states in a press release, "There’s a common belief that without modern technology, people would sleep longer, ideally eight or nine hours a night." While the studied groups may differ from prehistoric humans, the findings suggest technology isn’t the primary factor limiting sleep. Living near the equator, these groups experience shorter nights, unlike those in northern regions like Europe, where longer nights may have encouraged extended sleep.
However, just because hunter-gatherers sleep less doesn’t mean modern individuals should emulate them. Prehistoric humans faced nightly threats like predators and starvation, unlike today’s industrialized populations. Sleep is crucial for health, memory, and overall well-being. Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain, increased stroke risk, and grogginess. Embrace the luxury of uninterrupted eight-hour sleep as one of modernity’s greatest gifts.
