Do you ever find yourself hitting snooze on your alarm clock, struggling to get out of bed in the morning?
Well, you’re not alone. Even some of history’s greatest minds had trouble waking up early.
One such individual was known for his unconventional sleeping habits, which left him snoozing until noon.
But what was his excuse for sleeping late?
In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating story of a man who defied societal norms and embraced his own unique sleep schedule.
Get ready to discover the surprising truth about one of history’s most famous night owls.
What Was Descartes Excuse For Sleeping Late
The man in question was known for his frail health as a young student, and he maintained a peculiar sleep schedule for most of his life. He would sleep roughly from midnight until noon, and then leisurely gather steam to start his day after lunch.
While there’s no evidence that he considered his off-kilter sleeping schedule an issue, scientists speculate that he may have had a circadian rhythm disorder called Delayed Sleep Phase (DSP). This disorder is marked by an abnormally late sleep-and-wake schedule, but otherwise, sufferers sleep normally, just at different hours.
Lifestyle factors such as nighttime light exposure or going to bed later can trigger DSP, but the condition also appears to occur naturally in some biologically predisposed night owls.
It’s worth noting that during the 17th century, when this man lived, people ordinarily retired at dusk before the invention of street lamps enabled artificial illumination. So, his midnight bedtime was quite unusual for his contemporaries.
Introduction: The Struggle To Wake Up Early
For many people, waking up early can be a real struggle. Whether it’s for work, school, or other obligations, getting out of bed in the morning can feel like an impossible task. This is especially true for those who have a natural rhythm to their sleep cycles and are at their best when they stay up later and sleep in later.
The groggy feeling that many people experience upon waking up is called “sleep inertia” and is a natural transition state from being asleep to fully awake. It can take some time to shake off, and for some people, it can be particularly difficult.
But why is waking up early such a challenge? Well, there are a variety of factors at play. For one, our bodies naturally produce hormones like melatonin that make us feel sleepy at night and alert during the day. When we disrupt our natural sleep-wake cycle by waking up earlier than we’re used to, it can throw off these hormonal rhythms and make it harder to feel awake and alert in the morning.
Additionally, our modern lifestyles often involve staying up late and staring at screens (like smartphones or laptops) well into the night. This exposure to artificial light can also disrupt our natural sleep-wake cycle and make it harder to wake up early in the morning.
Descartes’ Unconventional Sleeping Habits
According to his biographers, Descartes’ unconventional sleeping habits were a result of his frail health as a young student. While his hardier schoolmates rose at 5 a.m. to tackle chores and attend morning lectures, he slept until lunch to conserve his energy. He maintained the same schedule for most of his life, dozing roughly from midnight until noon and then hanging out in bed for a while, leisurely gathering steam to start his day after lunch.
Upon moving to Holland, he gave the country props for letting him “sleep more quietly than anywhere else.” There’s no evidence that Descartes considered his off-kilter sleeping schedule an issue, let alone a medical condition.
However, in retrospect, scientists speculate that he may have had Delayed Sleep Phase (DSP), a circadian rhythm disorder marked by an abnormally late sleep-and-wake schedule. This disorder can occur naturally in some biologically predisposed night owls. Lifestyle factors such as nighttime light exposure or going to bed later can also trigger DSP.
Descartes’ midnight bedtime may not register as unusual today, but during the 17th century, when he lived, people ordinarily retired at dusk before the invention of street lamps enabled artificial illumination. Therefore, his unconventional sleeping habits were quite peculiar for his contemporaries.
The Surprising Truth About Descartes’ Excuse For Sleeping Late
Despite maintaining a peculiar sleep schedule, there’s no evidence to suggest that Descartes considered it an issue or a medical condition. However, scientists today speculate that he may have had Delayed Sleep Phase (DSP), a circadian rhythm disorder that causes an abnormally late sleep-and-wake schedule.
Interestingly, DSP can be triggered by lifestyle factors such as nighttime light exposure or simply going to bed later, but it can also occur naturally in some biologically predisposed night owls. This suggests that Descartes may have had a natural inclination towards staying up late and sleeping in.
What’s even more surprising is that during the 17th century, when Descartes lived, people ordinarily retired at dusk before the invention of street lamps enabled artificial illumination. So his midnight bedtime was quite unusual for his contemporaries. In fact, upon moving to Holland, he gave the country props for letting him “sleep more quietly than anywhere else.”
Embracing Your Own Sleep Schedule: Lessons From Descartes
Descartes’ sleep schedule may seem odd to some, but it worked for him. He believed that idleness was essential to good mental work, and he made sure not to overexert himself. His late-morning hours of meditation constituted his only concentrated intellectual effort for the day.
Descartes’ approach to sleep can teach us a valuable lesson: embrace your own sleep schedule. Not everyone is wired to be a morning person, and that’s okay. Just like DSP sufferers, some people are biologically predisposed to being night owls.
It’s important to listen to your body and find a sleep schedule that works for you. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, make sure you’re getting enough rest and taking care of yourself. Don’t force yourself to conform to societal norms if they don’t align with your natural rhythm.
Conclusion: The Legacy Of Descartes’ Sleep Habits
It’s interesting to consider the legacy of Descartes’ sleep habits. While he may have suffered from a circadian rhythm disorder, it’s clear that he was able to function well despite his late-night schedule. His ability to work during the day after sleeping until noon suggests that perhaps our society places too much emphasis on early rising and productivity.
Additionally, his untimely death while in Sweden highlights the importance of respecting one’s own natural sleep patterns and not forcing oneself to conform to an unnatural schedule. Descartes’ legacy may serve as a reminder that everyone’s body is different, and we should strive to listen to our own needs rather than conforming to societal expectations.
