How people used to sleep! I didn't know this --

[JanetTronstad]

I picked this up online and have to say I am very surprised. I've never heard of first sleep and second sleep. How about you?

http://slumberwise.com/science/your-a...

[Melody]

Had never heard of that either, but that is quite interesting!

[Ausjenny]

interesting.

[Nina]

I must be kin to them, I dont sleep the whole night, sometimes I get up and work on the computer, lol

[JanetTronstad]

This is a reminder to me that I can't assume that the way things are now is the way they have always been.

[Melody]

I like that Janet! Probably esp good to know when doing Historicals huh?

[Barbara]

I enjoyed the article, Janet.

[JanetTronstad]

And, what a great idea for a book -- maybe a mystery abotu something done between first and second sleeps??? What owuld you do during those hours?
Me -- I'd read most of it, I think.

Now, I'm kind of liking the idea of the time between those sleeps when all is quiet and cozy.

[Judy]

Thanks, Janet.

[Ausjenny]

I noticed it was before street lighting etc. I guess specially in winter it was warmer to go to bed early.
I guess there was also the issue of saving oil or candles etc.
I find if I go to bed early I tend to wake an hour or so later and sometimes am awake for a bit. I wonder how it worked in summer

[JanetTronstad]

I'm sure keeping warm (and not using as much heat) was part of it. Also, when you think about how electric (or gas) lights have changed our lives it is amazing. Also if people got up at dawn, they were no doubt tired enough to go to sleep when the sun went down.

[Ausjenny]

I know I am!!!!!!!!!!
On Friday night I feel asleep around 7pm for over an hour not heavy sleep but enough not to care when a wicket fell in the cricket then was wide awake for a couple of hours.

[Valri]

Perhaps that's why "naptime" became popular :)

[Melody]

I think I would read too, I do that often before sleep, or rather when I should have already gone to bed! :)

[Paula-O]

Janet there was a case where a man sleepwalked and drove his car to his MIL and killed her and drove home having no memory of it, true case...wondered if this has anything to do with different types of sleep?