British Man Sleeping in Hammock for 14 Years Says "Insomnia and Back Pain Disappeared"

A British Man in His 60s Has Been 'Sleeping Outdoors' for 14 Years
BBC Highlights It... "No Scientific Evidence"

A man in his 60s who had been suffering from chronic sleep deprivation claims that he started sleeping well after beginning to sleep outdoors, drawing attention. He emphasized that sleeping outside the house is necessary to keep the body internally clean.

British broadcaster BBC reported the story of 68-year-old David Priestley, who has been sleeping in a hammock set up in his garden outside his house for 14 years. Priestley, a retired member of the Royal Air Force (RAF), has suffered from various ailments including back pain, and about 10 years ago developed a sleep disorder. However, since starting "outdoor sleeping," he says he now sleeps well.

He told the BBC, "We are all animals, but we have just been brainwashed into thinking we have to sleep inside the house." This implies that humans, like wild animals, need to sleep in outdoor environments to be healthy.

Bedroom.

After starting outdoor sleeping, Priestley converted his bedroom into a workshop and instead made his garden outside the house his bedroom. He emphasized, "I don't care what the neighbors think about (outdoor sleeping). I am happy and healthy."

He got the inspiration for outdoor sleeping from camping in 2010. He claims that his herniated disc improved after he started sleeping outdoors, saying, "I feel much better after sleeping in the hammock and coming back." He was originally scheduled for surgery but canceled it as his symptoms improved.

He now explains, "I hardly sleep inside the house," and that he spends less than five hours a day inside. He also added that he discovered a new wilderness after sleeping outdoors. He said, "One day when I woke up, I found a badger looking for insects and slugs under the hammock."

David Priestley claims to have cured his sleep disorder after starting outdoor sleeping.
[Image source=BBC capture]

So, does outdoor sleeping actually help treat sleep disorders? Insomnia experts say there is insufficient scientific evidence to generalize Priestley’s case.

Dr. Lindsey Browning of Oxford University said, "I do not scientifically recommend (outdoor sleeping)," citing irregular temperatures and lighting, as well as animal noises that can interfere with deep sleep.

Dr. Browning explained, "For most people, I think the downsides of (outdoor sleeping) outweigh the benefits," but added, "If outdoor sleeping has helped Priestley, that is a wonderful thing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.