Snooze News: Fascinating Sleep Trivia to Help You Doze Off

We all need sleep, yet it remains one of the great mysteries of science. Why do we sleep and dream? How much rest do we really require? Does the moon impact our slumber? Prepare to be amazed and entertained as we explore the eye-opening world of sleep trivia. You may gain insight into your own sleep patterns and learn something new about family, friends, and even your pet!

Historical Sleep Facts

• The phrase “sleep tight” originated from the Pilgrims, who had straw-filled mattresses held up with ropes stretched across a bed frame. Hence, a “tight sleep” meant a comfy sleep.
• Louis XIV, the monarch of extravagance, owned a staggering 413 ornate beds and often held court while lounging in them.
• Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, humans naturally slept in two shorter phases throughout the night. They would go to bed at dusk for 4-5 hours, wake for a couple of hours to embark in prayer, work, or intimacy, and then return to bed until sunrise.
• The Great Bed of Ware, displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, could accommodate up to 10 people. It measures 18 feet six inches wide by 12 feet long.
• Leonardo da Vinci embraced a polyphasic sleep pattern, dozing off for just 15 minutes every four hours.
• Before the invention of the light bulb, people slept an average of 10 hours a night. Today, the average adult sleeps just 6-7 hours per night.

Dream Data

• Before colored TV, only 15% of humans dreamed in color; Today, over 75% of the population dreams in color, while roughly 12% dream in black and white.
• We spend around 2 hours a night dreaming.
• Within 5 minutes of waking, we forget 50% of our dreams.
• We can only dream of faces we’ve seen in real life: either people we know or individuals we’ve come across but may not remember. The brain does not create new faces in dreams.
• The body becomes paralyzed while dreaming. The brain relaxes our muscles to prevent us from hurting ourselves by acting out our unconscious visions.

• Many sleep specialists believe you cannot snore and dream simultaneously because they occur at different sleep phases. However, more research is needed to prove this.

Weird But True Sleep Insights

• The moon’s phases affect our sleep: Research shows that we sleep better during a new moon and worse during a full moon, though no one knows why.
• We burn more calories during sleep than while watching TV.
• According to NASA, the perfect nap lasts 26 minutes.
• 1 in 4 married couples sleep in separate beds.
• Sleep experts have discovered a link between people’s favorite sleep positions and their personalities.
• It’s impossible to sneeze while sleeping.
• It takes the average healthy adult 10-15 minutes to fall asleep.

Amusing Anecdotes about Animal Sleep

• Cats sleep 12 hours a day, while giraffes only sleep about 2 hours.
• Elephants sleep on their feet during non-REM sleep but lie down for REM sleep.
• Sea otters hold hands while sleeping so they don’t drift away from one another.
• Ducks sleep with one eye open.
• Octopi change color while they sleep.
• Bears can give birth while hibernating.
• Sloths sleep for roughly 80% of their lives.
• English bulldogs are the only canines to experience sleep apnea. Their short snouts and underbites are believed to restrict airflow.

The 411 on Sleep Deprivation

• Humans are the only mammals that willingly delay sleep.
• New parents can lose 400-750 hours of sleep in the first year.
• Sleep deprivation reduces pain tolerance.
• Lack of sleep can kill a human quicker than starvation.
• The Guinness World Record for sleep deprivation is 18 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes. It took place in 1986 during a rocking chair marathon and the 27-year-old contestant suffered from hallucinations, blurred vision, paranoia, slurred speech, and concentration lapses.
• In 1997, Guinness World Records stopped monitoring the record for the longest time to stay awake due to the harmful health consequences.
• Drowsy driving causes about 100,000 car accidents yearly, leading to 1,500 fatalities.
• Some rental car companies contractually require renters to have 6 hours of sleep before driving to prevent accidents.
• If you typically fall asleep in 5 minutes or less, you are likely sleep deprived.

Who knew sleep could be so interesting? Whether you feel energized to learn more or are ready for a nap after reading, one thing is clear: sleep – and lack of sleep – impacts our world in surprising ways. So, whether you’re inspired to keep a dream journal on your nightstand, burn extra calories by turning off the TV, or learn to snooze like a cat, we hope these tidbits motivate you to prioritize healthy sleep habits.