1. The Ancient Art of Polyphasic Sleep
Through the ages in human history we have experimented with abnormal sleep schedules. For example, in medieval Europe, it was common to take two naps in one night. Someone would fell asleep for a “chunk” of the night, then would wake up, and may have stayed awake for a few minutes, and go back to sleep. The time awake could be for prayer, reading, or visiting neighbors. In more modern times, some cultures endorse polyphasic sleep (e.g. a sleep ‘night’ consists of several naps). An example of this is that seamen typically sleep short periods of time because of the demanding schedules of performing survival activities while at sea. What may seem odd today speaks to human adaptability to changing sleep to fit a lifestyle.
2. Cultures Beliefs Shaping Rest
Cultural beliefs assign spiritual significance to sleep in different communities. In Japan, for example, “inemuri,” or the practice of napping in public, is esteemed not as a sign of laziness, but as a sign of hard work and dedication to one’s work. Some Africans also believe that sleep is a sacred activity since some dreams are a means to communicate with ancestral spirits. On the other hand, many Amazonian tribes believe that sleeping alone is dangerous; they prefer to sleep with other group members for safety from bad spirits. Practices such as those described represent how cultural beliefs inform timing, location, and “how” sleep occurs in differing cultural traditions.
3. Modern Rituals with Ancient Roots
Cultural beliefs assign spiritual significance to sleep in different communities. In Japan, for example, “inemuri,” or the practice of napping in public, is esteemed not as a sign of laziness, but as a sign of hard work and dedication to one’s work. Some Africans also believe that sleep is a sacred activity since some dreams are a means to communicate with ancestral spirits. On the other hand, many Amazonian tribes believe that sleeping alone is dangerous; they prefer to sleep with other group members for safety from bad spirits. Practices such as those described represent how cultural beliefs inform timing, location, and “how” sleep occurs in differing cultural traditions.
