Natural Cycles of Sleep

  [View Online]( INSPIRATION [Natural Cycles of Sleep]( Our bodies are naturally encoded to respond to light and dark — sleeping with the rhythms of Mother Nature. The human body evolved to fall asleep soon after the descent of night’s curtain and to wake with the appearance of the dawn. Sleep cycles were governed by patterns of light and darkness for thousands of years, meaning that for much of history, humanity has enjoyed nine or more hours of sleep each night. Our bodies are naturally encoded to respond to light and dark and sleep with the rhythms of Mother Nature. In the present, artificial light has changed the way we schedule our day-to-day lives, and most of us slumber for less than seven hours at a stretch. It is possible, however, to come back to natural sleeping cycles by making a few small changes. When our bodies and minds are attuned to the world’s natural rhythms, we feel calmer, more centered, and more energetic while awake. Sleep is more satisfying because we afford ourselves more than enough time for restoration and rejuvenation. Our reliance on indoor lighting further compounds our disassociation from the natural cycles of light and darkness that would otherwise preside over our sleep. You can mimic the passage of the day by changing the quality of the light. Sleeping without heavy drapery or shades is best, so you can wake up with the sun. If sleeping by a window without a curtain is not an option, you can use a dawn simulator lamp that imitates the sun by growing steadily brighter with the coming of morning. You will likely discover that changing your sleep patterns to be in sync with the daily cycle of light and darkness is easy and that you feel more alive when your sleeping. Your waking rhythms also will be in alignment to those of the Earth. Nature’s own phases will be your guide to wellness, granting you more waking hours in the summertime when you will benefit greatly from spending time outside and ensuring you get plenty of sleep in the winter when you likely need it most. Did you like this Inspiration? ❁ Did you miss yesterday's inspiration? Click [here]( to view them all.   DailyOM Course Spotlight [Sleep Fix For Longevity]( Getting good quality sleep is essential to our well-being. Yet so many people struggle to get their eight hours of nightly uninterrupted rest. In this course, holistic health coach Emily Spurling will teach you modern science methodologies and ancient healing practices to transform the way you sleep. You’ll receive instructional videos with relaxing 60-minute meditations, soothing yoga poses, and insomnia-busting nutritional tips that will help you achieve blissful rest every night. [Learn More]( New Courses - [Science-Based Plan to Reduce Visceral Fat]( - [The Japanese Secret to Slow Aging]( - [The Parasympathetic Nervous System Fix]( - [10-Minute Exercises for Cortisol Control]( Recommended For You [Separating With Grace and Respect]( [Learn More]( [Gorgeous Youthful You in 21 Days]( [Learn More]( [Over 40 Whole Body Makeover]( [Learn More]( [End Anxiety and Panic Attacks]( [Learn More]( [Communicating With Animals]( [Learn More]( [8 Secrets to Releasing Stubborn Weight]( [Learn More]( Top 10 Courses 1. [Science-Based Plan to Reduce Visceral Fat]( 2. [The 10-Minute Method to Naturally Tighten Your Face]( 3. [The Power of Quantum Physics for Self-Healing]( 4. [The Vagus Nerve Miracle]( 5. [Science-Based Lymphatic Drainage Rescue]( 6. [10-Minute Exercises for Cortisol Control]( 7. [Next Level Fascia Miracle: The Lymphatic Secret]( 8. [The Parasympathetic Nervous System Fix]( 9. [Somatic Exercises to Relax and Release]( 10. [The Art of Manifesting Your Soulmate]( Explore 350+ Courses There's something for everyone. What do you want to learn today? [Browse by Topic]( [DailyOM Logo](   [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( [Twitter]( You are receiving this email because you're subscribed to DailyOM. You are registered with {EMAIL}. [Inspirations]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( [Remove me from this list]( | [Help/FAQ]( Copyright © 2024 [Everyday Health, Inc.]( All rights reserved. DailyOM is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 114 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10011 Subject to our [terms of service]( and [privacy policy](.