A three-year study conducted by scientists at Switzerland’s University of Basel1 and published in the journal Current Biology investigated the connection between sleep and the lunar cycle. They found that people took on average five minutes longer to fall asleep as the full moon approached, spent 30 percent less time in deep sleep, had lower melatonin levels, and had on average 20 minutes less sleep on full-moon nights. While more research is needed to strengthen these findings and uncover why this phenomenon occurs, some research suggests that the link between our sleep and the lunar cycle has to do with our circadian clocks. Not enough sleep over time can lead to issues like anxiety, brain fog, more weight gain, and a higher risk for diabetes and heart disease. If you know your rest could be affected by a full moon, it’s best to be prepared so you can still get your zzz’s. Here are some expert-approved tips: The full moon can be an exciting time—that is, if you’re not left sleep-deprived. We hope these suggestions help you wind down so you can take the best from the full moon experience and leave the rest.
