Many people claim to struggle with sleep during the rare event
The full Sturgeon Moon is set to rise on Saturday, August 9, and many Brits are preparing for a potentially sleepless night. Named after North America’s largest fish, the August full moon – known as the ‘Sturgeon Moon’, will be visible in the UK at 8.54am.
This name originates from the large number of sturgeon fish that were typically found in North America’s Great Lakes around this time of year. In the UK, it is also known as the Corn Moon, a nod to the start of the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere when crops are abundant.
An increasing number of people are reporting symptoms of ‘full moon insomnia’, attributing their vivid dreams, midnight awakenings, and difficulty falling asleep to the lunar cycle. And there may be some truth to these claims. Interest in lunar cycles has surged, with Google searches for this year’s Sturgeon Moon increasing by 650 per cent.
Social media platforms are awash with videos discussing how full moons disrupt sleep, with one TikTok video garnering over 68,000 views and sparking a lively debate in the comments section.
A recent poll conducted by Dreams found that 62 per cent of respondents believe the moon affects their sleep. Nearly half (48 per cent) confirmed that their sleep is disrupted every time there is a full moon.
Additionally, 37 per cent reported having trouble falling asleep, 31 per cent experienced vivid or strange dreams, and 25 per cent woke up in the middle of the night. Dreams’ sleep expert Sammy Margo has offered her insight on the popular topic, disclosing whether there’s more to it than moonlight and myths, and what steps you can take to guarantee a peaceful night’s rest, even during a full moon.
“Multiple studies have found that during the full moon phase, people may experience shorter sleep durations, lower sleep efficiency, and reduced melatonin levels,” says Sammy. “So, while there’s a strong psychological element to the full moon effect, biology may also be playing a part.”
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Below Sammy explains why and offers her top tips to beat the Sturgeon Moon slump:.
Moon proof your room
“The full moon increases natural light at night, and that brightness, even if it is subtle, may suppress melatonin – the hormone that helps regulate sleep. Use blackout curtains or a comfortable eye mask to block out the extra moonlight and keep your sleep environment as dark as possible. A properly dark room helps your body stay in sync with its natural sleep-wake cycle.”
Try this moonlight mimicry hack
“In the evening before the full moon, make sure you watch the sunset for about 5 to 10 minutes, as the gradual descent into darkness will signal melatonin production through your eyes’ light-sensitive cells As well as this, make sure the lights in your home are either warm toned, dim or wear blue light blocking glasses. This may trick your brain into syncing with the natural light-dark cycle before the moon gets too bright.”
Create a calming ‘moon wind-down’
“Resist the urge to scroll through full moon TikToks before bed. Instead, turn that energy into something restorative. Try a simple bedtime ritual with low-light activities like reading, deep breathing – such as lion’s breath, a technique where you inhale deeply through the nose and exhale forcefully through the mouth while sticking out your tongue to release tension – or alternate nostril breathing, where you gently close one nostril at a time while breathing in and out through the other, helping to balance the nervous system and quiet the mind. Just five minutes can help calm the nervous system, release tension, and ease your body into rest mode.”
Bedding texture trick
“During a full moon, your body can be subtly overstimulated without you even realising it. One simple trick? Swap your usual duvet for a different texture – try using a soft blanket instead or layer a different fabric on top.
“This small change in sensory input can help interrupt the overactive thought loops that keep you awake. It’s a bit like flipping your pillow to the cool side.”
Try ‘lunar logging’ to clear your mind
“The full moon can stir up emotions and mental clutter, so try writing in a ‘moon mood log’ before bed. Jot down your thoughts, worries, or even tomorrow’s to-do list to offload your mind and help to prevent middle-of-the-night wakeups. And if you’re feeling off, that’s okay, blame the moon, then let it go. Give the moon credit, then shift your focus to what you can control: your mindset, your environment, and your routine. Lunar logging isn’t just about clearing your head, it’s about setting yourself up for the best night’s sleep possible.”