Thanks for sharing all this! I wondered if you've looked into how culture affects how much sleep you need–not just how you sleep. I spoke to Dr. Benjamin Cheung about his study, where they found Japanese participants not only idealized less sleep but needed less sleep than Canadians (according to the physiological responses). If you're interested, here's a link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33901233/
Hi Nolan! Yeah, this is super interesting. There's definitely somehow cultural differences in the patterns that the body can show, particularly when we know we have to take into account many other factors such as diet, climate conditions, even spirituality which can all have profound effects in the way a society does a certain lifestyle. It's different for countries near the Equator where sunlight hours are the same pretty much all year round, where no big changes in temperatures or seasons are experienced compated North and South.
Since sleep is highly connected to the sunlight cycles and melatonin production in the brain, there's indeed certain differences we can see as people adapt every year to these cyclic changes.
We also need to consider medications. Many people with chronic illnesses have to take medications that can influence the hormonal axis of the body. Or even natural changes such as menopause in women or Andropause in men (which is not addressed enough).
It really is a fascinating thing! And so many factors to consider when we think of regions, cultures and societies with all their differences and uniqueness.
Just as an example in my experience: I'm originally from Costa Rica, living in Spain for the last 14 years and now currently in Scotland. It's amazing how different my body reacts and adapts to each place, and you'd think you know how to deal with it every time but then the body has always a different biome every time that's dependant on so many things, even age. My sleep patterns in Scotland are the most messed up right now like I haven't had in a while, and I can see how the sunlight/darkness changing so fast right now compared to Spain is something entirely different from what I know so well. Adaptation is natural but it can take a toll in the body. Just like jetlag as another example.
So so fascinating indeed! Thanks for being here and sharing your view too.👌🏼
I can relate! Last year, I went from Spain to Vancouver in the summer (not a big deal), but I'm going in February this year. I feel it will be similar to what you go through in Scotland.
This is my favorite one so far! I am the worst with sleep habits, but I've gotten better at stopping watching tv before it gets too late. I also found that a reward in the morning (reading a book) gets me to wake up earlier.
Yaaay! Isn't it amazing? And I personally find that I need to set up reminders for myself from time to time because it's easy to forget. I'm glad you're enjoying this! 🥰
I have to admit I'm the worst at going to be when I should. I don't work in the mornings and never have to be up at a certain time but man, do I push the envelope. The guilty party is TV. I just keep hitting "next" in every series I binge 😂 However, I DO get at least 7 hours a night. I have no job to go to lol.
Hi Kristi! I hear you, that's a common challenge for many. In these cases I'd most likely ask you two things:
1. Do you feel rested after your 7 hours of sleep?
2. In the midst of having a different schedule than the average, do you still feel a sense of routine?
If yes, then that's fantastic. The important thing with sleep patterns and the brain is that the brain needs a sense of organisation. So whatever your routine is, if it works for you and it has consistency in it allowing you lead a life that feels good to you, then that's all you need!
For example, I'm currently living my 4th month as s freelance after I left my clinic day job. It's been an interesting process of adaptation which I'm still far from conquering, but in this process, I've been able to learn and observe what works and what doesn't work for me as I learn the life away from corporate. It's been a huge huge blessing, but the truth is also that it has taken me many months of experimenting while I get to know myself in this new space. I dream to be a morning person without alarm clocks but I still have a way to go. Interestingly, every time I try something different in my routine, I see the effects and results, I take note and keep going. Eventually, it seems that I'm finding the main things helping me build this new setup while also rewiring my brain. And this takes time. The important thing is to observe yourself, your routine, your habits and see what works, what doesn't, what you like, what you don't like about it and see what you can fix or improve and what stays because it makes you feel good.
Your routine is 100% unique to you, don't forget that! 😉
Thanks for sharing all this! I wondered if you've looked into how culture affects how much sleep you need–not just how you sleep. I spoke to Dr. Benjamin Cheung about his study, where they found Japanese participants not only idealized less sleep but needed less sleep than Canadians (according to the physiological responses). If you're interested, here's a link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33901233/
I'm curious to know your thoughts!
Hi Nolan! Yeah, this is super interesting. There's definitely somehow cultural differences in the patterns that the body can show, particularly when we know we have to take into account many other factors such as diet, climate conditions, even spirituality which can all have profound effects in the way a society does a certain lifestyle. It's different for countries near the Equator where sunlight hours are the same pretty much all year round, where no big changes in temperatures or seasons are experienced compated North and South.
Since sleep is highly connected to the sunlight cycles and melatonin production in the brain, there's indeed certain differences we can see as people adapt every year to these cyclic changes.
We also need to consider medications. Many people with chronic illnesses have to take medications that can influence the hormonal axis of the body. Or even natural changes such as menopause in women or Andropause in men (which is not addressed enough).
It really is a fascinating thing! And so many factors to consider when we think of regions, cultures and societies with all their differences and uniqueness.
Just as an example in my experience: I'm originally from Costa Rica, living in Spain for the last 14 years and now currently in Scotland. It's amazing how different my body reacts and adapts to each place, and you'd think you know how to deal with it every time but then the body has always a different biome every time that's dependant on so many things, even age. My sleep patterns in Scotland are the most messed up right now like I haven't had in a while, and I can see how the sunlight/darkness changing so fast right now compared to Spain is something entirely different from what I know so well. Adaptation is natural but it can take a toll in the body. Just like jetlag as another example.
So so fascinating indeed! Thanks for being here and sharing your view too.👌🏼
I can relate! Last year, I went from Spain to Vancouver in the summer (not a big deal), but I'm going in February this year. I feel it will be similar to what you go through in Scotland.
This is my favorite one so far! I am the worst with sleep habits, but I've gotten better at stopping watching tv before it gets too late. I also found that a reward in the morning (reading a book) gets me to wake up earlier.
Yaaay! Isn't it amazing? And I personally find that I need to set up reminders for myself from time to time because it's easy to forget. I'm glad you're enjoying this! 🥰
I'm picking up the pace 😂
I have to admit I'm the worst at going to be when I should. I don't work in the mornings and never have to be up at a certain time but man, do I push the envelope. The guilty party is TV. I just keep hitting "next" in every series I binge 😂 However, I DO get at least 7 hours a night. I have no job to go to lol.
Hi Kristi! I hear you, that's a common challenge for many. In these cases I'd most likely ask you two things:
1. Do you feel rested after your 7 hours of sleep?
2. In the midst of having a different schedule than the average, do you still feel a sense of routine?
If yes, then that's fantastic. The important thing with sleep patterns and the brain is that the brain needs a sense of organisation. So whatever your routine is, if it works for you and it has consistency in it allowing you lead a life that feels good to you, then that's all you need!
For example, I'm currently living my 4th month as s freelance after I left my clinic day job. It's been an interesting process of adaptation which I'm still far from conquering, but in this process, I've been able to learn and observe what works and what doesn't work for me as I learn the life away from corporate. It's been a huge huge blessing, but the truth is also that it has taken me many months of experimenting while I get to know myself in this new space. I dream to be a morning person without alarm clocks but I still have a way to go. Interestingly, every time I try something different in my routine, I see the effects and results, I take note and keep going. Eventually, it seems that I'm finding the main things helping me build this new setup while also rewiring my brain. And this takes time. The important thing is to observe yourself, your routine, your habits and see what works, what doesn't, what you like, what you don't like about it and see what you can fix or improve and what stays because it makes you feel good.
Your routine is 100% unique to you, don't forget that! 😉