What is green sleep? Experts explain this better sleep trend

If you're struggling to get to sleep, a new study suggests that your location could be to blame. Inner-city sleepers are likely to experience loud noises, light pollution, and poor air quality. Green sleep is a concept that addresses these issues by suggesting you can get better sleep in a more natural environment, like the countryside. 

As a city dweller, I could see how this study gained so much traction. It's rare for my apartment to feel peaceful, and the sound of trains nearby is something I've had to acclimatize to. I generally have no problem getting to sleep. As being H&G's sleep editor, that's no surprise; after all, I sleep on one of the best mattresses on the market. But I can say that I've rarely woken up feeling fresh. 

In response to the spike in green sleep, Emma - The Sleep Company launched the Shleep Sanctuary. A unique getaway that helps guests wind down, and fall asleep in the ultimate relaxation environment, it gave me the chance to test out green sleep claims. 

Here's everything you need to know about the green sleep study, including my verdict and how you can replicate this better sleep environment at home. 

The green sleep trend explained

It's important to remember that these studies are not scientific proof. They may demonstrate associations and suggest solutions to better sleep, but they are no conclusive evidence of causation. More research is needed in this area and we're keen to keep an eye on developments in the trend. 

What is green sleep?

Research – commissioned by sleep experts at Emma – recently released suggests that city residents are getting 219 hours less of sleep a year than those in the countryside. Revealing a geographical sleep divide, it also revealed that over a third (36%) of people who live in the city say they struggle with sleeping well.  Almost a quarter (23%) of city dwellers wake up before 6 am, and 41% wake up feeling tired.

The Green Sleep concept suggests that 'it's not just the clock that's keeping them up.'  79% of those living in the city cite noise from neighbors and vehicles being the reason they've been kept awake. 

By comparison, 56% of those in the countryside say that the country air positively impacts their sleep, and almost 1 in 10 are snoozing past 9 am each day. The benefits of green sleep see more people longing for a countryside property, alongside fresh air and a quiet atmosphere. 

Theresa Schnorbach, Emma Sleep Scientist explains, 'Our results do seem to show a trend that living in a quieter area can really have a tangible impact on the amount of sleep you get, and the quality of that sleep - so it’s no wonder that the trend of Green Sleep is booming, with people booking getaways to the countryside in order to get better sleep.'

Theresa Schnorbach

Theresa Schnorbach is a psychologist and sleep scientist specializing in Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Neuropsychology. She has completed post-graduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with the German Sleep Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin (DGSM)), endorsed by the European Research Society.

What are the sleep benefits?

Green sleep is said to offer benefits for both physical and mental health. Adeem Azhar, clinical pharmacist and co-founder of Healthcare Organization Core Prescribing Solutions breaks down the benefits below: 

Reduced Noise and Light Pollution: Urban environments are often full of high levels of both noise and light pollution, and both of which have been shown to negatively affect sleep. 'A study published in the Journal of Urban Health found that people living in high-noise areas had a 25% increased risk of insomnia symptoms compared to those in quieter areas,' adds Azhar. 

Light pollution: 'Similarly, excessive artificial light can disrupt your body's natural circadian rhythms, impairing both sleep quality and overall health.' In the absence of artificial light, people may find their sleep-wake cycles aligning more closely with the natural rhythm of daylight and darkness. 'This was demonstrated in a study published in Current Biology, where researchers found that exposure to only natural light (no electronic devices, artificial light) reset participants' circadian rhythms and helped them wake up earlier,' explains Azhar. 

Better Air Quality: The countryside often has better air quality compared to urban environments, with lower levels of air pollutants. A study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives showed that exposure to air pollution can lead to poor sleep health,' says Azhar. Resting in a clearer air environment is much better for your respiratory systems. 

Increased Exposure to Nature: 'The presence of green spaces has been associated with stress reduction, improved mood, and better cognitive functioning.' This in turn will help you sleep better, but more importantly, wake up feeling fresh. 

Calming sounds: Sleeping in a green environment might also provide unique benefits such as opportunities for wildlife sounds to influence your dreams or simply provide a calming soundscape to fall asleep to. 

Adeem Azhar

Adeem Azhar is a clinical pharmacist and co-founder of Healthcare Organization Core Prescribing Solutions. 

My verdict

After testing out this green sleep trend myself, I have to admit, I did feel different. While I am usually okay falling asleep soundly, I woke up feeling much more refreshed than usual. 

The most noticeable aspect, for me, was the clean air. Living in a high-rise apartment, the air can get stuffy and uncomfortable, especially during hay fever season. Waking up to fresh air made all the difference to my mood and well-being. 

However, while peaceful, the countryside is hardly silent. Natural noises like as animals, the wind in the trees, and other local wildlife were much more soothing than trains, neighbors, and innercity pests, but it would be something to get used to. 

How to practice green sleep at home

After experiencing green sleep during my Emma sleep sanctuary, it got me thinking about how I can emulate these benefits in urban settings. From investing in the best air purifier to buying black-out blinds, like this Eclipse Drew 100% Blackout Shade at QVC, you can better your air conditioning and reduce any artificial light from a streetlamp shining through. I also started to wear an eye mask, and use earplugs (I like these Amazon earplugs for noise reduction) to cancel out any noise pollution. Bringing in some greenery with more plants and flowers also encourages one to feel closer to nature. 

Making these changes to my sleep routine has helped me sleep better, and wake up fresher at home. 

FAQs

How well someone sleeps will always be dependent on the individual environment, and how they react to sounds. Noise pollution and busy households can't be helped, and if you're on a budget, investing in the best bed products might not always be an option. To improve how well you rest, you should start by assessing your own sleep situation.