Why Our Grandparents Slept Better Than Us And It’s Not Just the Noise!
Ankita Rai | Wed, 11 Jun 2025
Many believe our grandparents slept better, but the truth is more complex than fewer screens or quieter nights. Historical records and studies reveal that segmented sleep waking up mid-night was once normal. The "poorly sleeping grandparent hypothesis" suggests that disrupted sleep in older adults may have evolved to help protect communities. Age-related changes, natural routines, and reduced stress also played a role. Unlike today’s overstimulated lives, earlier generations aligned more closely with nature. By understanding these patterns, we can adopt healthier habits and stop seeing every restless night as a problem.
( Image credit : Pexels )
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Getting a decent night’s sleep today is harder than ever. Many people lie awake, tossing and turning, wake up foggy, or live in a cycle of chronic sleep deprivation. We often romanticize the past, imagining our grandparents effortlessly drifting off and sleeping soundly through the night. But was their sleep truly better? Or are we just focusing on the absence of artificial lights, smartphones, and urban noise? The reality is far more complex and shaped by biology, evolution, and lifestyle—not just the quiet.
The Myth of Better Sleep in the Past
It’s tempting to believe that people in earlier eras slept better because their nights were less noisy and less affected by technology. However, history paints a different picture. While modern disruptions like artificial lighting and screens have undeniably impacted our sleep, pre-industrial societies didn’t necessarily sleep longer or more soundly. Historical records and studies of hunter-gatherer communities show that people commonly experienced “segmented sleep” two distinct phases of sleep with a wakeful interval in between. During this period, individuals might pray, reflect, or engage in light activities. What we now consider interrupted sleep may have been the norm, not a problem.
The Evolutionary Advantage of Mixed Sleep Schedules
Research into the sleep patterns of hunter-gatherer groups, such as the Hadza of Tanzania, reveals fascinating insights. Within these communities, sleep was staggered across age groups some went to bed early and woke early, while others stayed up later and rose later. Older adults, in particular, often slept lightly and awoke before others. This pattern is the basis of the “poorly sleeping grandparent hypothesis,” which suggests that these varying sleep schedules were evolutionarily beneficial. If everyone in a group slept at the same time, they would be more vulnerable to danger during the night. But if someone was always awake, the group remained protected. In this light, the tendency for older individuals to wake early or experience light sleep may be less a disorder and more a built-in survival mechanism.
The Observation of Aging and Sleep
As people age, their sleep patterns naturally change. Older adults tend to experience lighter, more fragmented sleep, and often struggle to fall back asleep after waking. These changes are partially due to hormonal fluctuations. For example, declining levels of estrogen and progesterone in older women can contribute to night sweats, hot flashes, and insomnia. Both men and women may also suffer from increased nighttime urination and chronic pain. However, not all age-related sleep changes are negative. While sleep efficiency may decrease, older individuals often report fewer issues with daytime fatigue. This could be due to greater flexibility in daily routines, allowing older adults to adapt their sleep patterns to suit their needs.
The Role of Environment and Routine
Pre-industrial societies lived closely in sync with natural light and temperature cycles. People typically went to bed a few hours after nightfall and woke before dawn, aligning their rest with the cooler, darker parts of the night. This natural rhythm likely helped regulate their sleep more effectively than our artificially lit, climate-controlled environments. Napping was uncommon, particularly during winter, and total sleep duration was often shorter than current recommendations. Yet despite sleeping less, these populations did not report the same widespread issues with sleep disorders or fatigue that are common today.
Why Modern Sleep Is Different
Today’s sleep is heavily influenced by artificial light, digital technology, and a near-constant stream of information. Many of us work against our natural body clocks, spend less time outdoors, and struggle with irregular sleep schedules. Modern stress compounds the problem. Although our grandparents may have lived physically demanding lives, their routines were often more predictable and less mentally overstimulating. Today’s pace of life can interfere with the body’s ability to wind down and transition into restful sleep.
The Misconception of “Better” Sleep
When we claim our grandparents slept better, we may be conflating several factors reduced exposure to digital stress, greater alignment with natural rhythms, and a biological trait that allowed for group protection at night. Their sleep wasn’t necessarily deeper or more restorative; it was just different. The “poorly sleeping grandparent hypothesis” reframes what we often label as sleep issues such as waking early or sleeping lightly as adaptations from our evolutionary past. These traits served an important purpose in human survival but may now feel out of place in a world that values uninterrupted, eight-hour sleep.
Tips for Improved Sleep, Drawn from the Past
Tune into Natural Light
Seek natural light exposure during the day and minimize artificial light at night.
Create a Routine
Maintain consistent sleep and wake times, even on weekends.
Make Your Environment Restful
Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Use blackout curtains or white noise if needed.
Restrict Stimulants
Avoid caffeine and screen time in the hours leading up to sleep.
Embrace Flexibility
If you wake up during the night, stay calm. Segmented sleep was once the norm and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem.
The Bottom Line
Our grandparents may not have slept better in absolute terms, but their sleep was shaped by environmental, evolutionary, and lifestyle factors very different from ours. The “poorly sleeping grandparent hypothesis” reminds us that what we consider sleep dysfunction today may actually be rooted in traits that helped our ancestors survive. By understanding these influences, we can take a more compassionate and practical approach to our own sleep challenges—and adopt habits that better support natural rest.
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
The Myth of Better Sleep in the Past
man sleeping with his kid peacefully
( Image credit : Pexels )
It’s tempting to believe that people in earlier eras slept better because their nights were less noisy and less affected by technology. However, history paints a different picture. While modern disruptions like artificial lighting and screens have undeniably impacted our sleep, pre-industrial societies didn’t necessarily sleep longer or more soundly. Historical records and studies of hunter-gatherer communities show that people commonly experienced “segmented sleep” two distinct phases of sleep with a wakeful interval in between. During this period, individuals might pray, reflect, or engage in light activities. What we now consider interrupted sleep may have been the norm, not a problem.
The Evolutionary Advantage of Mixed Sleep Schedules
mixed sleeping schedule
( Image credit : Pexels )
Research into the sleep patterns of hunter-gatherer groups, such as the Hadza of Tanzania, reveals fascinating insights. Within these communities, sleep was staggered across age groups some went to bed early and woke early, while others stayed up later and rose later. Older adults, in particular, often slept lightly and awoke before others. This pattern is the basis of the “poorly sleeping grandparent hypothesis,” which suggests that these varying sleep schedules were evolutionarily beneficial. If everyone in a group slept at the same time, they would be more vulnerable to danger during the night. But if someone was always awake, the group remained protected. In this light, the tendency for older individuals to wake early or experience light sleep may be less a disorder and more a built-in survival mechanism.
The Observation of Aging and Sleep
sleeping
( Image credit : Pexels )
As people age, their sleep patterns naturally change. Older adults tend to experience lighter, more fragmented sleep, and often struggle to fall back asleep after waking. These changes are partially due to hormonal fluctuations. For example, declining levels of estrogen and progesterone in older women can contribute to night sweats, hot flashes, and insomnia. Both men and women may also suffer from increased nighttime urination and chronic pain. However, not all age-related sleep changes are negative. While sleep efficiency may decrease, older individuals often report fewer issues with daytime fatigue. This could be due to greater flexibility in daily routines, allowing older adults to adapt their sleep patterns to suit their needs.
The Role of Environment and Routine
environment plays a crucial role
( Image credit : Pexels )
Pre-industrial societies lived closely in sync with natural light and temperature cycles. People typically went to bed a few hours after nightfall and woke before dawn, aligning their rest with the cooler, darker parts of the night. This natural rhythm likely helped regulate their sleep more effectively than our artificially lit, climate-controlled environments. Napping was uncommon, particularly during winter, and total sleep duration was often shorter than current recommendations. Yet despite sleeping less, these populations did not report the same widespread issues with sleep disorders or fatigue that are common today.
Why Modern Sleep Is Different
modern sleep is different
( Image credit : Pexels )
Today’s sleep is heavily influenced by artificial light, digital technology, and a near-constant stream of information. Many of us work against our natural body clocks, spend less time outdoors, and struggle with irregular sleep schedules. Modern stress compounds the problem. Although our grandparents may have lived physically demanding lives, their routines were often more predictable and less mentally overstimulating. Today’s pace of life can interfere with the body’s ability to wind down and transition into restful sleep.
The Misconception of “Better” Sleep
misconception of sleep
( Image credit : Pexels )
When we claim our grandparents slept better, we may be conflating several factors reduced exposure to digital stress, greater alignment with natural rhythms, and a biological trait that allowed for group protection at night. Their sleep wasn’t necessarily deeper or more restorative; it was just different. The “poorly sleeping grandparent hypothesis” reframes what we often label as sleep issues such as waking early or sleeping lightly as adaptations from our evolutionary past. These traits served an important purpose in human survival but may now feel out of place in a world that values uninterrupted, eight-hour sleep.
Tips for Improved Sleep, Drawn from the Past
tips for better sleep
( Image credit : Pexels )
Tune into Natural Light
Seek natural light exposure during the day and minimize artificial light at night.
Create a Routine
Maintain consistent sleep and wake times, even on weekends.
Make Your Environment Restful
Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Use blackout curtains or white noise if needed.
Restrict Stimulants
Avoid caffeine and screen time in the hours leading up to sleep.
Embrace Flexibility
If you wake up during the night, stay calm. Segmented sleep was once the norm and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem.
The Bottom Line
sleeping
( Image credit : Pexels )
Our grandparents may not have slept better in absolute terms, but their sleep was shaped by environmental, evolutionary, and lifestyle factors very different from ours. The “poorly sleeping grandparent hypothesis” reminds us that what we consider sleep dysfunction today may actually be rooted in traits that helped our ancestors survive. By understanding these influences, we can take a more compassionate and practical approach to our own sleep challenges—and adopt habits that better support natural rest.
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Did people in the past really sleep better than us?Not necessarily they experienced segmented and lighter sleep, but fewer modern disruptions and stressors.
- What is the "poorly sleeping grandparent hypothesis"?It’s the idea that light, fragmented sleep in elders evolved to help protect the group during the night.
- Can waking up in the middle of the night be normal?Yes, historically it was common and even expected as part of a segmented sleep pattern.
