- WELLNESS & SLEEP

Why Our Ancestors Were Better Rested — And What You Can Do About It

New research suggests ancient parents suffered far less sleep deprivation than modern ones. The answer lies not in biology, but in the way we live — and there's a lot we can learn from it.

If you're a parent, you know the drill: broken sleep, bleary mornings and the quiet envy you feel toward anyone who slept past 6am. Sleep deprivation among new parents is so widely accepted that it's almost treated as a rite of passage. But what if it doesn't have to be this way?

A recent BBC Future article highlighted fascinating research suggesting that our ancestors, hunter-gatherer communities, communal village societies, and pre-industrial families, experienced parenthood without the crushing exhaustion modern parents accept as normal. Scientists are now studying what those ancient communities did differently, and the insights are reshaping how we think about sleep.

It Was Never Meant to Be a Solo Journey

In traditional societies, caring for the children was a communal responsibility. From grandparents, aunts and uncles, to close community members, all played active roles in caring for infants, and yes, including overnight. No single parent bore the full burden of responding to every night waking.

Modern life, by contrast, often places the entire weight of parenting on one or two people, frequently isolated from extended family, far from community support and expected to function fully at work the next morning. The loneliness of modern parenting isn't just emotional; it's physical and it shows up most painfully at 3am.

The takeaway for today: ask for help. Accept it when offered. Build your village wherever you can, even if it looks different from the one your ancestors had.

Natural Light, Natural Sleep

Before artificial light, human sleep was governed entirely by the sun. As daylight faded, melatonin, the body's natural sleep hormone, began to rise. Sleep came easily, naturally and in sync with the environment. Waking at dawn felt restorative, not punishing.

Today, we spend evenings under bright overhead lights, staring at phones and screens that emit blue wavelengths nearly identical to morning sunlight. Our brains receive the signal that it's still midday and melatonin production is suppressed for hours. The result is later, lighter, and less restorative sleep.

Simple habits that make a real difference:

• Dim your indoor lighting after sunset — warm bulbs or lamps instead of overhead lights

• Use blue light blocking glasses or screen filters in the evening

• Get bright natural light exposure in the morning to anchor your circadian rhythm

• Consider a melatonin supplement on nights when your schedule is disrupted

Regularity Beats Duration

One of the most significant modern sleep insights — supported by growing research — is that sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of health and cognitive function than total sleep duration. Going to bed and waking at consistent times, even if you can't always get eight hours, keeps your circadian system calibrated and your body better rested.

For our ancestors, this regularity was enforced by nature, sunsets and sunrises don't vary wildly. For us, it requires intentional effort. Set a consistent bedtime. Keep weekends close to your weekday schedule. Your body clock will thank you.

Nourish Your Nervous System for Sleep

While lifestyle changes lay the foundation, targeted nutrition and supplementation can meaningfully support your body's natural sleep processes. Here are the key nutrients our team recommends for parents navigating sleep deprivation:

Magnesium Glycinate

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body and plays a central role in regulating the nervous system and promoting muscle relaxation. Magnesium glycinate, a highly bioavailable form, is particularly effective for supporting deep, restorative sleep without the digestive side effects of other forms.

Ashwagandha (KSM-66)

This ancient adaptogenic herb has been used for thousands of years to support the body's stress response and stress is one of the biggest enemies of good sleep. Modern clinical trials show ashwagandha can significantly reduce cortisol levels, improve sleep onset and enhance overall sleep quality, particularly in people under chronic stress.

L-Theanine

Found naturally in green tea, L-theanine promotes a state of calm alertness during the day and supports relaxation at night. It works by increasing alpha brain wave activity, the same calm, focused state associated with meditation. For parents whose minds race at bedtime, L-theanine can help quiet the mental chatter.

Vitamin D3 + K2

Vitamin D deficiency is strongly linked to poor sleep quality and shorter sleep duration. Since most of us spend far less time outdoors than our ancestors did, supplementing with D3 (alongside K2 for optimal absorption) can be a meaningful piece of the sleep puzzle especially through winter months.

Small Shifts, Big Rest

Even though these community dynamics changed, the good news is that you don’t need to rebuild a hunter-gatherer village to sleep better. The insights from ancestral living point toward a handful of meaningful changes: lean on your community, protect your evenings from bright screens, keep a consistent sleep schedule and support your body’s natural rhythms with the right nutrients. 

Sleep is not a luxury - it's the foundation of everything. Energy, mood, immunity, hormonal balance and even the patience it takes to be a good parent all depend on it.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.