escaping
102 CalmMoment.com
Kingley Vale, embarked on a nocturnal sail down the
River Dart, fed foxes on a south London estate, and
listened to nightjars churring on a Sussex heathland.
As the year passed and seasons changed, I learnt
to observe the shifting hours of sunsets and sunrises,
becoming more in tune with my circadian rhythm and
appreciating the joy of first light and the velvet beauty
of nightfall. In winter, although the days were short
and cold, the nights drew in early and allowed me to
catch a glimpse of the stars before bed. In summer, the
evening air was balmy and sweet, full of hunting owls
and sparkling glowworms in the long grass.
Nightwalking is not one of life’s most practical
hobbies, especially with current research revealing
how important a good night’s sleep is for our bodily
functions. From healing damaged cells to boosting our
immune system, recharging the heart to processing
memories, it is increasingly evident how much our
sleeping patterns dictate our quality of life. But when
I decided to record my nocturnal adventures in my
third book, I started to research our historical
relationship with sleep and discovered an unusual
experiment from the early 1990s.
Psychiatrist Dr Thomas Wehr carried out an
experiment in human photoperiodicity (how the bodyTiffany tells us more about
learning to love the night in
the In The Moment podcast,
available on most major
podcast apps and on
KEEP SAFE AFTER DARK calmmoment.com
WRAP UP WARM
It’s surprising how quickly the air
cools after the sun goes down.
Always take one more jumper
than you think you’ll need.BRING A FRIEND
While it can be fun to explore
alone, if you’re not used to the
darkness it can be frightening.
Bring a friend along for the ride
and get spooked together!LEAVE A LOCATION
Tell your friends or family at home
where you’re going with a detailed
location or postcode.TA KE A TORCH
Torches can ruin the mystery of
nighttime, but they’re very useful
when you’re lost or looking for
the car. Try using a wind-up torch
which doesn’t need batteries.CHARGE YOUR PHONE
Google Maps has become
an essential part of modern
navigation, so make sure it’s
accessible if you need it.TA KE TREATS
A slab of chocolate and a flask
of hot tea will keep you cosy and
nourished on your adventure.MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME OUTDOORS
EXPLORE THE STA RS
Not sure which constellation is
which? Download the SkyView
app, hold your phone up to the
sky and discover the stories
behind the stars.LEARN TO HOOT
You’re almost guaranteed to hear
either a barn or tawny owl while
walking at night, so use YouTube
to learn the difference and see
who’s about!FAMILIARISE YOURSELF
If you’re visiting somewhere new,
take a trip in the daytime first
to familiarise yourself with your
surroundings.BRING A BLANKET
Stargazing can be addictive – look
up too long and your neck might
start to ache. Take a blanket and
lie down on the ground for a more
relaxing way to watch the sky.TREAD QUIETLY
Nightwalks bring you closer to
nature, but avoid scaring away
more elusive species by treading
softly and whispering quietly.FOLLOW THE MOON
If you don't like pitch darkness, try
aligning your nightwalk with the
full moon. You’ll be amazed how
much lighter the world is
in the moonshine!