Life

This Is How The Solar Eclipse Will Affect Your Sleep

by Sarah Fielding

On Monday, August 21, a total solar eclipse was visible from coast to coast in the United States. This was the first time it had happened since the year 1918. Understandably, Americans were very excited about the opportunity to see this rare celestial event. I'm not ashamed to admit that it's all I've been talking about but, frankly, the anticipation made me exhausted. This got me thinking, while it seems like the eclipse I just witnessed is bound to affect just about every part of my life, will the solar eclipse affect my sleep?

Since, odds are, you were probably at work when the eclipse passed over you, the bursts of darkness didn't pass as an excuse for a mid-day nap. While you might not have gotten that Monday pick me up, the eclipse will affect your sleep. How, is the question. A solar eclipse is almost like a fresh start, the sign that new beginnings are coming. With that in mind you become drawn to healthier habits such as setting intentions, practicing self-care, and letting go of destructive patterns.

"I’ve noticed others have been noticing different symptoms — from tiredness and headaches, to feeling generally run down or crazily sparky — electrically charged," Astrology website Star Sign Style suggests, "Eclipses can be felt before, during and after, with increased sensitivity at this time. Consider the past few weeks and anticipate repercussions in the weeks ahead, too."

While the eclipse might tire you out, the key here is that the solar eclipse has given you an opportunity to really think about what you want and work towards the habits and mindset you desire. So, while sleep isn't immediately affected by the eclipse, once you have begun implementing these changes, your sleep could be affected for the better.

Destructive habits can be anything from checking your phone before bed, not getting enough sleep, and allowing yourself to burn out. Removing these and implementing self care in the form of relaxing with a book, meditating or even taking a nice walk can give your body the cool down it needs for a much deserved nights sleep.

Even if you don't end up changing much about your routine after the eclipse, it can still be a chance to give your mental outlook a reset. Use this as a chance to rework how you come at sleep and maybe your habits will end up changing after all. Sleep well and good luck.