Sleep! — the magic that recharges our bodies, restores our minds, and gives us an excuse to hit the snooze button on our alarms repeatedly (especially when you’re having a good one). No wonder we spend about one-third of our entire life sleeping.
But if you’ve ever wondered, “How much sleep do I really need each night?”
The Wellness Genie is here to unravel the mysteries of sleep duration. From snooze aficionados to night owl rebels, we’ll dive into the science behind sleep and shed light on how much Zzzz’s you need to catch to wake up feeling ready to take the day.
The Science of Sleep
“Opening my sleep science textbook”.
Sleep experts have categorized sleep into five stages, alternating between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.
REM sleep is the stage of sleep where most dreams happen. Its name comes from how your eyes move behind your eyelids while you’re dreaming and when this is happening, your brain activity is similar to when you’re awake. Asides dreaming, REM sleep is super important for memory, emotional processing, and healthy brain development. I mean you could even salvage forgotten memories, thanks to REM sleep.
On the other hand NREM sleep begins when your brain activity, breathing, and heart rate slow down, body temperature drops, muscles relax, and eye movements stop. This is when you gradually slip into a deep slumber. NREM sleep handles essential tasks like physical repair and memory consolidation. –
Now that we know the basics, let’s uncover the magical number of hours you should be logging each night.
The Sleep Time Conundrum
You might be familiar with the often-cited golden rule of eight hours of sleep per night. However, sleep needs are as unique as fingerprints. While some individuals flourish with eight hours, others might find their sweet spot at seven or nine.
Factors like age, lifestyle, and overall health play crucial roles in this equation. Infants and teenagers usually require more sleep, while adults can get by with slightly less.
But don’t let the numbers stress you out! Quality trumps quantity when it comes to slumber.
You could spend ten hours in bed, tossing and turning, only to wake up feeling like a grumpy bear.
On the flip side, a solid six hours of uninterrupted sleep might leave you leaping out of bed with a spring in your step. It’s all about finding the right balance for your body and individual needs.
How to Unveil Your Sweet Sleep Spot
The National Sleep Foundation suggests that most adults thrive on seven to nine hours of sleep per night. However, this range isn’t set in stone, and you’ll need to listen to your body to determine your optimal sleep duration. Start by experimenting with different amounts of shut-eye, maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, and assessing how you feel upon waking.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to reach a magic number; it’s about attaining restorative sleep. Pay attention to the quality of your sleep. See if you wake up feeling refreshed and alert, or if you stumble through the morning like a sleep-deprived zombie in need of caffeine-infused life support.
Sleeping Smart and Setting the Stage
Now that we’ve tackled the “how much” part of the equation, let’s explore the “how to” for a night of blissful sleep.
First, create an inviting sleep environment by keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and free from distractions. Ditch the screens at least an hour before bed, as the blue light emitted by electronic devices can wreak havoc on your sleep patterns.
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine to signal your body that it’s time to wind down. Engage in calming activities like reading a book, or enjoying a soothing cup of herbal tea. And remember, consistency is key. Aim to stick to a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
But what if you’ve tried all these and reached a “too tired to sleep” phase?
There’s nothing wrong with getting a little help from natural sleep supplements. I don’t mean sleep meds.
You can find natural sleep supplements that are made with natural ingredients that don’t leave you groggy or make you dependent on them.
I’ve tried SleepRESTORE in the past and it worked really great for me. The best part is, this supplement doesn’t work like a drug, works with your natural sleep hormone to help you enjoy natural sleep just the way your body needs it.
SleepRESTORE will be sent to you for free wherever you are in Nigeria and you can pay on delivery. Also, there’s a money-back guarantee if you happen to not find it beneficial.
