The Nocebo effect

According to Margo, the Nocebo effect refers to the inadvertent internalising of the negative influences of Mercury retrograde, which when not processed can then contribute to disturbances in our sleep.

“Anxieties can become more pronounced during bedtime, as the mind tends to dwell on potential negative outcomes. The resulting mental agitation can make it challenging to relax and fall asleep peacefully,” she says. She also explains that as anxiety triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, people may have trouble staying asleep throughout the night.

Manifestation routines

A common practice for strong believers during events such as Mercury retrograde is taking part in manifestation routines. This can involve late-night rituals and the tradition of putting crystals beneath pillows to amplify their manifestation efforts.

But Margo warns that this can have several impacts on your sleep. “Sleeping with objects, such as crystals, beneath pillows can disrupt sleep by creating an uneven pillow surface and potentially lead to neck strains and pains.”

She goes on to say that staying up late can disrupt your sleep and skew your circadian rhythm. “It’s important to balance any manifestation practices with maintaining healthy sleep habits in order to avoid compromising overall well being during the retrograde phase.

Sleepwalking

Another sleep phenomenon that can emerge during Mercury retrograde is sleepwalking.

“Sleepwalking could be triggered by added stress or disruptions in daily routines that some individuals may experience during this period. These factors may contribute to an increased likelihood of sleepwalking episodes, which can disrupt the overall quality of sleep and lead to potential safety concerns during the night,” Margo explains.

Vivid dreams

Sleep is already such an intricate part of our lives and our health but then you introduce into it the world of dreaming. During Mercury retrograde, a concept known as ‘false awakenings’ (or vivid dreams) can sometimes occur and this is where people experience the sensation of waking up, only to realise they’re still dreaming.

Margo says that “while Mercury retrograde might not directly script these dreams, the heightened awareness of the potential astrological event could influence dream content and, consequently, affect sleep experiences. These dream experiences can lead to fragmented sleeping time and reduced overall sleep satisfaction.”

She also adds that not everyone will experience Mercury retrograde in the same way as it can affect different star signs in different ways, which is why Dreams has developed the first Horoscope Sleep Calculator.

This tool tailors sleep suggestions to align with each star sign’s potential unique response to Mercury retrograde, so that everyone can do what they can to get a good night’s sleep.

Feeling extra tired? These are the 4 ways Mercury retrograde might be affecting your sleep