Beyond the astronomical gaze, there are many myths about how the full moon affects people or not, both physically and in the quality of sleep. How true is this?
According to the words of Sebastian Caussade Yoga instructor and astrology teacher at the sky school, «The moon represents the most unconscious side, linked to dreams, to the oneiric world, so it is reasonable to think that on a full moon you rest ‘less well’, because that dimension is active and that can make it difficult to rest well»he assures.
But this relationship also finds an explanation in science. The Dr. Verena Sennneuroscientist and head of sleep research at Emma The Sleep Company, discussed this topic and comments that it is the circadian rhythms – physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle – that establish a connection between good sleep and the lunar phase. This, because one of the elements that affects these cycles is light and darkness.
“Our natural circadian rhythms are intrinsically linked to the four phases of the lunar cycle and are disrupted before the full moon. As the moon goes through each phase, it emits more light at night, which directly affects our sleep. While the light may not be as disturbing as the sun, it’s actually the blueness of the moon that can wreak havoc on our sleep patterns.»commented.
Yoga as a good ally
According to the Yoga teacher, «There are postures that activate the sympathetic system, that turn it on, such as bows, and that can influence good sleep. For example, the classic ‘spider’, makes the mind activate and also increases blood pressure.
Secondly, “Among the recommended exercises, there are all those in which the body bends forward, like a ‘clamshell’, for example bending forward and trying to touch the toes with the fingers of the hands. For this type of posture, it is very useful to use a pillow on the legs, in order to rest the head while performing the exercise. Ideally, it should be a firm, height-adjustable pillow, like Emma’s.» Caussade explains.
Recommendations to rest better on a full moon
Good sleep is a habit, and we have often heard advice about eating lighter in the afternoon, not engaging in intense physical activity or abusing the use of screens before resting. However, on full moon nights this becomes even more challenging.
The expert of Emma The Sleep Company adds that “To help you fall asleep at night during a full moon, you can try using blackout curtains to prevent the bluish light emitted by the moon from entering the room. Having a lamp with a red light bulb can help you get a good night’s sleep even more.», ended. This type of lighting is characterized by being relaxing, helping to fall asleep.