The Sneaky Reason You May Not Be Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

When I find myself struggling to sleep — whether it’s tossing and turning or waking up in the middle of the night — astrology has never crossed my mind as a potential cause. That is, until the last full moon in January, when I woke up at 3 a.m. and couldn’t get back to sleep. Naturally, I decided to turn to social media to see if others were experiencing the same thing — and to my surprise, I found other people awake at the same hour. 

When I landed on user AskIreland’s Reddit thread where people were sharing their sleep issues caused by the full moon, I couldn’t stop reading it. What started as a simple late-night question turned into a deep dive on how the full moon and other astrological events can impact sleep.

With another full moon happening on March 14, I was eager to learn more about how I can prepare my nighttime and sleep routine for the upcoming astrological events. I spoke with a few experts to better understand my recent experience and find out how to prepare to get some proper shut-eye during the next full moon.

Curious about why the full moon may impact sleep from an astrological perspective, I tapped Ophira Edut, one half of The AstroTwins, for her expert insight. “The moon is more visible, and there is more light,” she says. I had never realized this extra light could be enough to disrupt sleep, especially for those sensitive to changes in their environment. 

To address this factor, Edut recommends using sleep masks or blackout curtains if you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Personally, I’ve found I get my best rest when wearing a sleep mask. It helps immensely because it allows me to sleep through the night in complete darkness.

Dr. Jade Wu, PhD, DBSM, a sleep psychologist and sleep advisor at Mattress Firm, has another pro tip for optimal sleep hygiene. She recommends minimizing the level of light from screens and other artificial lights at night. “You can even use blue light blocking glasses in the two hours or so leading up to bedtime to help minimize stimulating light.,” Wu says.

This month, the full moon is in Virgo, a sign known for being detail-oriented and organized, which is explained in the AstroTwins 2025 Horoscope book. Edut says this full moon is an ideal time to declutter, clean, and organize your space. “A full moon can be a great time to reveal things you didn’t notice — it’s a perfect time to learn about space clarification, Feng Shui, or clear out things in your environment that could disrupt your sleep,” she explains.

Anjie Cho, author and Feng Shui educator, has a tip for how to focus your decluttering efforts to bring about better sleep. “Look under your bed,” she says. “If you store things there like divorce papers, bills, or other emotionally charged items, it can disrupt your sleep.” Instead she recommends keeping sleep-related items like pillows or linens under your bed, as they tend to carry a lighter, calming energy. 

With the full moon in Virgo, expect a focus on organization, unexpected changes, sudden transitions, or endings you’ve been putting off. Virgo is associated with practicality, and as Edut shares, this energy might manifest as a desire to tidy up your home, schedule overdue appointments, or tackle tasks you’ve been procrastinating on. For me, I always feel an urge to clean out my closet or organize my home during this time, and it helps clear mental clutter as well. 

While you’re preparing for the full moon, it’s also worth considering other astrological events like Mercury retrograde. I’ve always associated Mercury retrograde with tech issues, traffic delays, and miscommunication, but I never thought sleep would be on the list, too. 

According to Edut, “Mercury retrograde might disrupt your sleep because you’re dealing with unresolved issues or communication difficulties you haven’t solved.” If that is the case, this astrological phase can create emotional distress causing restlessness or anxiety that impacts sleep. If you experience sleep issues during this astrological occurrence, try implementing self-care practices like journaling, meditation, and a bubble bath into your nighttime routine to have a great night’s sleep. 

Despite any astrology occurrences, it’s always important to improve your sleep hygiene no matter what the “stars” are saying to maintain great mental and physical health. While doing so, consider other lifestyle factors that may be affecting your sleep like an inconsistent nighttime routine or too much screen time before bed. 

When you use this full moon to take a look at your sleep hygiene, you’ll be able to find what works best for you, what you’re missing, and what you need. If you’re experiencing heightened stress or tension, now may be a good time to address those unresolved issues — whether it’s through journaling, meditation, or talking things through with someone you trust. Doing so may help calm your mind and set the stage for better sleep.