The Hidden Reason Why Our Sleep Is Getting Worse and a Surprising Solution
If you have poor sleep and it has gotten worse over the years, you are not alone.
Perhaps you think this is part of the natural process of aging - after all, we all hear that sleep gets worse with age. Or you may think your worsening sleep is due to hormonal imbalance. Or increased stress. It's true that any of these reasons may play a role in your own situation.
But why is sleep worsening across the population?
Why is EVERYBODY getting worse sleep?
Sleep has become agonizingly elusive for many people, and the problem has been growing. People are getting less sleep and poorer quality sleep.
One of the many studies that has measured this trend, published in 2019 and conducted in the US, found that over the course of five years, the number of adults who reported difficulty falling asleep at least one day a week increased by 1.43%. Those with difficulty staying asleep at least one day a week increased by 2.70%.
These may seem like small numbers, but remember these are averages across thousands of people. Some of these people experienced big differences and others experienced smaller differences. And this is a trend. It is an indicator of a growing problem.
Extrapolated across the population, these measures indicate that millions of people are experiencing significantly greater problems with sleep.
The reasons touted include:
The prevalence of smartphones and the many ways they harm sleep
The economy and the worries people are experiencing as result
Increased pressure to work more hours, with less time for sleep
Increased stress, in general
Yet, there is one thing rarely mentioned, which has a huge impact on our sleep.
We are disconnected from the outdoors and from nature.
Here are ways that lack of nature connection impacts sleep:
Being in nature is calming. Even thinking about being in nature can be calming. Just take a moment to imagine a few of your favorite nature experiences, be it watching a sunset or sitting by water, and notice how your energy changes. We need to be calm and relaxed in order to sleep well.
Being outside gives us two other things we barely think about, which are deeply connected with sleep; light in our eyes and vitamin D.
Being outside allows daylight in our eyes. Daylight is a primal language our brain responds to telling us to wake up. Darkness tells our brain that it’s time to fall asleep. This ancient rhythm has guided us for eons, and suddenly we have turned it off. Is it surprising that we are starting to experience the effects?
Being outdoors is our natural source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for health – and sleep. Studies show that lack of vitamin D is associated with a high risk for sleep disorders.
Improve your sleep by spending more time outdoors in nature.
Here are some suggestions:
Start your day with a walk: Ideally, do this where you can enjoy the calming effect of nature; perhaps a tree-lined street or a little park. When you start your day this way, you are telling your body that it’s time to wake up. If you can make this as a morning ritual, even better, you will then establish a routine your body can respond to.
Hold a meeting (or visit with a friend) outside: A meeting or visit over the phone can happen while you sit outside or go for a walk. We don’t always have to be glued to our computer!
Choose the terrace: When the weather is nice and you are taking a beverage break, take it outside.
Any chance you can, get outside!