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EP 56: Beyond Sleeping Pills: Rediscovering Our Natural Sleep Rhythms
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Ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, frustrated that you're not sleeping "like you should"? You're not alone—and surprisingly, you might not even have a problem.
Dr. Lucinda Sykes, a retired physician and mindfulness expert who directed the Meditation for Health Clinic in Toronto, joins us again to reveal fascinating truths about our natural sleep patterns. Contrary to popular belief, sleep naturally evolves as we age. After 30, we lose about 10 minutes of sleep per decade, experience more nighttime awakenings, and often shift to earlier bedtimes and wake times. These aren't disorders—they're normal biological changes.
Perhaps most fascinating is the historical context: before electric lighting, people typically experienced "segmented sleep"—sleeping for about four hours, waking for an hour or two (often for prayer or contemplation), then returning for a "second sleep." This pattern wasn't considered problematic; it was simply how humans slept for centuries. Dr. Sykes shares research showing indigenous Maori elders view nighttime awakenings as opportunities for spiritual practice rather than sleep failures—a perspective that brings peace instead of frustration.
Modern interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) now recommend approaches that align with these historical patterns—getting out of bed when sleep won't come, engaging in calm activities with dim lighting, and returning when sleepiness returns. Dr. Sykes offers practical suggestions like listening to scripture readings or "sleep stories" that engage the mind gently without creating the counterproductive "sleep efforting" that actually increases stress.
The key lesson? Our attitude toward sleep may cause more problems than our actual sleep patterns. By approaching sleep with cultivation rather than achievement in mind, we can reduce unnecessary suffering and find more peace with our natural rhythms.
Go to lucindagift.com for Dr. Sykes' free "Happy Sleep Secrets" guide and discover how to nurture your sleep naturally, without medication.
Chapters
1. Welcome to Tilted Halo Podcast (00:00:00)
2. Introducing Dr. Lucinda Sykes (00:00:45)
3. How Sleep Changes Throughout Life (00:02:18)
4. Cultural Perspectives on Sleep Patterns (00:06:22)
5. Modern Sleep Problems and Solutions (00:11:30)
6. Natural Approaches to Better Sleep (00:19:49)
7. Resources and Closing Thoughts (00:27:20)
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