Oct 21, 2024
What does a good night’s sleep really look like?
Siddhartha JanaHealthy sleep is cyclical, involving various stages and brief awakenings throughout the night, rather than a continuous deep sleep. Each sleep cycle lasts approximately 90 minutes, and adults typically experience five to six cycles per night.
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Deep sleep generally occurs in the first half of the night, while rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, linked to vivid dreams, is more prevalent in the second half. Brief awakenings are normal and may increase with age without indicating poor sleep quality.
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Quality of sleep is just as important as quantity; adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep but should also be able to fall asleep quickly, sleep soundly without prolonged awakenings, and wake up feeling refreshed.
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Sleep disorders, including insomnia and sleep apnoea, are prevalent, with insomnia affecting up to 25% of adults and rates increasing with age. It’s important to seek help for sleep disorders as effective treatments exist.
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Sleep can be disrupted by chronic health conditions, certain medications, or external factors like noise from children or traffic. Assessing the impact of these disruptions on daily life can indicate whether professional help is needed.
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Struggles with waking up in the morning can result from irregular sleep patterns or insufficient sleep. Persistent difficulty may require assistance from a sleep psychologist.
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While sleep-tracking devices can provide insights into sleep patterns, they may not accurately measure sleep stages. In-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for evaluating sleep quality.
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Understanding personal sleep patterns over time can help identify negative behaviors affecting sleep, and if tracking data causes anxiety, it may be more beneficial to consult a healthcare professional for tailored guidance.
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