World Actuality

It turns out that segmented sleep is pretty normal. It’s even more than we can all realize. Does it happen to you often?

 If walking during the night is a common thing for you, this could be just it. You might wonder if you are suffering from sleep apnea or insomnia. The Segmented Sleep is an irregular sleep pattern that could be or not be a disorder. It’s more of a natural biological response of your body and mind that we have forgotten about.

According to an English scholar Roger Ekirch, our ancestors were practicing segmented sleep. They were using these moments in the middle of the night as waking hours to pray, finish chores around their home, or mediate. This scholar found “first sleep” and “second sleep” legal documents in literature.

There were even letters written before the Industrial Revolution. It’s funny to me because I have never felt them. People back then were spending in-between hours in prayer. Many of these people who were experiencing them were cherishing them as the most relaxing periods.

As it says, the middle period between the first and second sleep is somewhere around midnight where the brain starts to produce prolactin. This is a hormone that supports a feeling of relaxation. Segmented sleep could lead to insomnia, as well. Watch this video if you want to know more about the natural sleep cycle.