Mohammed Al-Abri of Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman, notes that segmented sleep patterns, including napping, are common in many cultures. While scientists have historically focused on single blocks of sleep, new research suggests that how people sleep – including the combination of core nighttime sleep and naps – is as important as how much they sleep.
A review published in Brain Medicine on August 25th highlights the need for sleep experts to consider the patterns of combined sleep. Another study in Sleep Health points out that treating all naps the same has led to conflicting research findings, with some studies suggesting naps are harmful and others finding benefits. This makes it difficult to provide clear guidance to those experiencing fatigue.
Occupational health researcher Line Victoria Moen, who was not involved in either study, theorizes that splitting up sleep could help people reach adequate sleep hours, but states, “The evidence is too fragmented” to determine the long-term health impacts of this approach. Historical records reveal that humans haven’t always slept in single blocks; historian A. Roger Ekirch’s 2006 book, *At Day’s Close: Night in Times Past*, describes a common ‘two-sleep’ pattern in medieval Europe where people would wake during the night for activities before returning to sleep until sunrise.
While this biphasic sleep pattern may not fit the modern world with its artificial lights and screens, researchers are exploring whether it could be adapted for contemporary populations. Chronic sleep deprivation is widespread in industrialized nations, and insufficient sleep has been linked to numerous health problems.
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