Top Highlights
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An analysis of 54 sleep studies reveals that individuals in small, non-industrialized societies, like the Himba of Namibia, average only 5.5 hours of sleep, which is less than their counterparts in industrialized regions, who sleep about 7.1 hours on average.
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Common assumptions about modern technology causing a sleep-loss epidemic are challenged; many studies report mixed results, with some showing no significant change or even an increase in sleep duration over recent decades.
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Non-industrialized populations exhibit lower sleep efficiency (74% asleep while in bed) compared to industrial populations (88%), indicating that environmental conditions may contribute to better sleep quality in more developed regions.
- Increased safety and security in industrial societies potentially enhance sleep duration and efficiency, while the disruption of natural circadian cues may contribute to the perception of poor sleep quality among those in modern environments.
A recent analysis of sleep patterns reveals a surprising trend: hunter-gatherers often get less sleep than people in industrial societies. In fact, members of the Himba community in Namibia average just 5.5 hours of sleep each night. This discovery challenges the common belief that modern technology disrupts our sleep more than in earlier times.
Researchers analyzed 54 sleep studies worldwide. Many assumed that devices like smartphones and large televisions hinder sleep quality. However, self-reported sleep duration is often unreliable. While some studies suggest a decline in sleep over recent decades, others report no significant changes. More reliable methods, such as using activity monitors, show no decrease in sleep duration over the past 50 years.
This research marks a shift in focus to non-industrialized societies, where sleep studies have become more feasible thanks to wearable technology. Data shows that various hunter-gatherer groups sleep for an average of 5.9 to 6.7 hours. Conversely, in industrialized nations like the U.S. and Australia, adults average about 7.1 hours of sleep.
Interestingly, people in non-industrial societies achieve sleep efficiency levels of about 74 percent, compared to 88 percent in industrial regions. This efficiency is influenced by better nighttime safety in industrial environments, where individuals do not face threats from wildlife or rival human groups.
Additionally, the circadian rhythms in these communities differ. Non-industrial societies averaged a circadian function index of 0.7, compared to 0.63 in industrialized countries. The urban lifestyle, characterized by artificial lighting and constant activity, may lead to irregular circadian rhythms, which some researchers believe contribute to the perception of poor sleep quality.
Despite these findings, questions remain about how representative the study samples are of their overall populations. Still, as technology advances, we gain deeper insights into sleep health across diverse human experiences. Understanding these differences can lead to better sleep solutions, bridging gaps between lifestyles and enhancing quality of life.
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