What this medieval sleep practice tells us about today’s hustle culture

The year is 1600. The sun has just set and you’re tucked up on your canvas sack on the floor. But shut-eye in medieval times had a twist: instead of the eight-hours-a-night routine we’re familiar with, going to bed in the olden days meant getting up around midnight for a chunk of time known as “the watch” before hitting the hay again until morning. Maybe you get on with some chores. Maybe ponder or pray for a couple hours. Maybe you pen a letter by candlelight. Maybe you even had sex...