SLEEPING THROUGH THE WINTER. Winter is almost here. I experience a yearning every winter to stay inside and in bed. Graham Robb writes here that until the twentieth century peasants in many parts of Russia and France shut themselves away during the winter months. “A civil servant who investigated [Burgundy’s] economic activity in 1844 found that he was almost the only living presence in the landscape: ‘These vigorous men will now spend their days in bed, packing their bodies tightly together in order to stay warm and to eat less food.’” He also cites a report from 1900 about a region of Russia where, “’At the first fall of snow the whole family gathers round the stove, lies down, ceases to wrestle with the problems of human existence, and quietly goes to sleep. Once a day every one wakes up to eat a piece of hard bread.’” Robb thinks all this was a good idea, concluding, “There has never been a better time to stay in bed.” (I have previously posted here and here on reviews of Graham Robb’s book THE DISCOVERY OF FRANCE.)
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Does anyone believe that man used to be a hibernating animal? I wonder, seriously. In the winter, because the cold takes so much out of me, I eat more and try to sleep more. Of course, I gain weight because I don’t stay asleep and live off the fat of the summer and fall. The dark days really take an emotional toll as well.
What is this moderation thing? Are you having to sort through comments for overly eccentric or suspicious replies?
I’ve been having the same problem with winters lately. Last winter was the worst ever, but I can’t think of why. In high school I was always discouraged by the necessity of waking up for school in pitch dark and the fact that night descended two hours after school let out. Last winter was worse, though, because I always felt cold no matter how much I bundled up (this is inside) and I sought the comfort of my bed as much as possible. I was very thankful for my laptop then. It feels good to have my hibernation instincts confirmed by the article and these anecdotes!
This winter I’m also feeling very disinclined to exercise, unlike the summer when I couldn’t get enough of it. I’m trying to resist it but the instinct is very strong.
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