Darkness, light and sleep

Greenland is changing away from the time zone it would otherwise belong to geographically and that has brought up a new concern about how it affects sleep – so much so that politicians have looked into sleep studies from Iceland, who are researching the same issue.

The concern of sleep patterns is connected to light and darkness. Just like summer and winter time, time zones are a part of determining the pattern of our days following the patterns of the sun.

There are many misconceptions about the light and darkness of Greenland, one of the biggest ones being that Greenland has 6 months of darkness.

In Qaanaaq, the most northern city in Greenland, the polar darkness lasts from the 24th of October to the 17th of February. During this time the sun does not rise in the city, but that does not mean continual pitch black darkness in this period. The sun will drop just below the horizon in the beginning, and the ice and snow lights up the city.

See what the shortest day looks like in different regions here.

Kaperlak, as the locals of Qaanaaq call the polar night or ‘The dark time’ is celebrated, just as the return of the sun is celebrated in North Greenland. You will sometimes hear a North Greenlander say something along the lines of: “Work has been so stressful, I really look forward to the dark season.” – to some, it is a cozy time to slow down.

Depending on how far north you travel, the months and hours of daylight will increase, but the North Greenland locals also have the most light during summer. When you travel past the Arctic Circle, the natural phenomenon that is the midnight sun occurs, meaning that the sun does not set. In central Greenland this lasts from May to July. Learn more.

So when Greenland changes its time zone it will also have a temporary impact on the local concept of day and night, something like jetlag. However, the Greenlandic population is used to dim polar nights and bright Arctic days.

The culture of time

The change in time zone is also an occasion to look at the time culture of Greenland, connected to a notion of spontaneity and calm.

The two concepts have perhaps been ingrained in Greenlanders partly due to weather. In the changeable climate people want to venture out skiing or sailing right away if the conditions are right, not next week when the weather might be bad. On the other hand, locals stay inside if the weather forecast promises windy and snowy conditions, waiting out the storm.

Greenland has integrated this time culture into its modern complex society. You can recognise this, for example, in the expression ‘ajunngilaq’ (translates to ‘it’s fine’ or ‘oh well’) or in the concept of the Kaffemik – a celebration with food, cakes and coffee, with an open invitation where people arrive and leave as they wish during the day without the constraints of a set time block.

Greenland is a calm and collected culture, and locals are great at thinking on their feet. There’s a lot to learn from these concepts of time.

Slow down and slow travel

The shift in time zone is an occasion to look at what we might have to gain from changing up our daily grind or even our concept of time when traveling. We sadly don’t mean time travel, but rather slow travel. If you feel like your life has become hectic and stressful, Greenland might just be the destination the doctor ordered.

Greenlanders are experts in slow travel experiences and every region offers many different opportunities to do so. From fly fishing to dogsledding, to spa experiences and glamping, Greenland has an abundance of experiences that will make you slow down and stop to smell the roses (or the icebergs). Something which is often in short supply in our hectic everyday life and a world which has become so fast-paced.

A new day dawns

In an era of responsible travel, the context also demands that we look into how we travel.

Greenland is at the front row of climate change experiencing the vast changes of the Arctic, understanding that time is running out.

At the same time the country is moving through a transition where a beautiful, rich, and long-established culture is preserved and re-examined within the framework of a modern society.

This time demands that tourists look into how we travel. Being mindful, choosing sustainable solutions, sometimes staying longer in one place and making sure we consider and support both the local population and the natural surroundings. Greenland is going through this transition and invites travelers to take part.

To summarize, Greenland is changing its time zone. And it is an exciting new beginning and a reinvention. It is a connection to the world and the country’s own unique moment. You’re invited – travel in time and experience Greenland time.