What’s Missing In Your Sleep? The Truth About ‘Good Sleep’ According To Scientists

Add as a preferred source on Google

Feels like heaven right? When after a tired and long day one comes home and jumps right on the bed under the covers, snoring off to sleep, tossing and turning around, patting that soft pillow and hibernating for about 7 to 8 hours, thinking that it is good sleep as it has been told so. But do you actually know what healthy or good sleep is?

In reality, it is cyclic across the night, when you move in and out of different stages of sleep, often waking up at several intervals. There are people who are well aware of these awakenings, and there are some who do not. Let's dig in further and find out what scientists say about a good night's sleep -

Sleep Cycles - For an adult, sleep moves through different cycles and brief awakenings during the night. These sleep cycles last about 90 minutes each. A person typically starts the night with lighter sleep before moving into deeper sleep stages, rising again into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a stage often connected to vivid dreaming.

If we sleep soundly, most of our deep sleep is usually in the first half of the night, with REM sleep more common in the second half. As adults move through five or six sleep cycles in a night, it is apparently common to wake up briefly at the end of each cycle. It probably means we are waking up five times during the night. This number can increase with older age and still be considered healthy. And it's perfectly ok, if you are not remembering these awakenings as they can be quite brief.

A Good Sleep - People often say they need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. But wait right there! It's not just about the quantity, it's about the quality as well. Some people think if they fall asleep immediately or if they sleep without waking up for long periods or wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day means sleeping well. But if one feels excessively sleepy during the day even after getting seven hours of day that is a concern. It's better to consult a general practitioner if we feel physically tired and need a nap regularly without feeling refreshed, because reasons for that are galore.

Issues related to sleep - Sleep disorders are widespread, with up to 25% of adults experiencing insomnia-a condition that makes it challenging to fall asleep, stay asleep, or prevents you from sleeping as long as you'd like. Common sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea-where breathing can partially or completely stop multiple times throughout the night become more prevalent with age, affecting 20% of young adults and up to 40% of middle-aged individuals. Effective treatments are available, so seeking help is essential.

Chronic health conditions - Our sleep can be disrupted not only by sleep disorders but also by chronic health conditions like pain and certain medications. Other factors such as 'forced awakenings' that include children, pets, traffic noise, or even inexplicable night awakenings, can also impact our sleep quality. If these interruptions lead to frustration, affect daytime functioning, or make it challenging to wake up for daily responsibilities, it might be time to seek help. Struggling to get up could also be due to inadequate sleep, irregular sleep patterns, or even our own internal clock. Consulting a sleep psychologist can help address these issues if they're a concern.

Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for examining sleep stages, assessing factors like breathing, oxygen saturation, brain waves, and heart rate during sleep. Rather than focusing on nightly sleep data from trackers, it's more useful to observe long-term sleep patterns, like bed and wake times, to identify habits affecting sleep quality. If tracking your sleep causes anxiety, it may not be beneficial, and consulting a general practitioner for concerns is recommended, as they can connect you with a specialist.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.