I seem to hear from a variety of people that they struggle to fall asleep at night; but the difficult to fall asleep sounds like an evolutionary downside. Even as hunter-gatherers, being able to sleep whenever and wherever sounds like it would be an advantage.

Is it a recent product of modern times and people didn’t actually struggle with it a while back? In which case, what of modern life is causing this? If not, what is the evolutionary advantage of not falling asleep easily?

  • supermurs@suppo.fi
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    1 year ago

    I’d love to be able to sleep on command.

    Usually I need to take a melatonin pill after tossing and turning before I get some sleep.

    • Today@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I’ve learned to fall asleep much faster as I’ve gotten older. I turn the tv off, put down my phone, get as comfortable as i can, and relax each body part for 3 breaths starting at my feet.

      • supermurs@suppo.fi
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        1 year ago

        I tend to read e-books a bit to relax, but I read them from my phone and I think having the screen on causes sleeplessness. Vicious cycle!

    • fubo@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Melatonin is a lot stronger than a lot of folks realize.

      Drugstores will sell you a 10mg melatonin tablet that utterly crushes your endogenous production.

      0.5mg taken earlier in the night may be plenty for many people.

      • CyanFen@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        The idea that taking melatonin orally causes your body to stop producing it is a myth.