I’ve often wished that I could put my head on my pillow at the end of a long day and then wake up many hours later feeling rested and ready to take on the world again. Unfortunately that never seems to be the case.
I’m aware that I wake up a few times during the night and I have to admit to being a little concerned that I’m missing much needed sleep.
The Good News
Today I discovered just how normal that sleep pattern is for most people. Thanks to an article titled ‘Normal sleep’ a mystery to some, I’ve found that waking through the night is pretty much what’s meant to happen. I’m normal. Well at least my sleep is somewhat normal.
Lead researcher Professor Dorothy Bruck says the study shows the disconnect between the science of sleep and community expectations.
This lack of understanding about normal sleep patterns can also create a Catch 22 situation, she says, where people become anxious because they wake up and then can’t get back to sleep.
“In fact, normal sleep is a roller coaster cycle of deep sleep, light sleep and brief awakenings repeated several times in the night,” says Bruck.
She says better education and understanding of this cycle could literally help Australians rest easier.
How well do you sleep? Are you aware of waking and falling back to sleep throughout the night?
Is there anything you do to get a better night’s sleep?
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A friend´s Dad said: Main thing is you´re lying down.
It helps me when I just yet again lay awake in the night.
I have those nights where I no sooner hit the bed than the alarm goes off. Not sure I ever moved. I have those time where I feel I have been asleep for hours only to find it has been barely an hour. Those moments of wakefulness don’t bother me, especially if it means heading to the bathroom. lol My frustration is when I wake up and can’t get back to sleep. But it sounds like my sleeping pattern is normal.
I often take ages to get to sleep but usually once I’m asleep I sleep quite well, just not long enough! When one of our girls was having trouble sleeping the doc said we have a 3-hour sleep cycle and I know if I go to bed at the right time I’ll usually not have as much trouble as when I go an hour or two later than the optimum time to fall asleep (unless Niel wakes me with his snoring/loud breathing/sudden breath after holding it for a few seconds).
Sleep apnoea can cause disturbances through the night which can leave the sufferer feeling like they’ve not slept well so if you tend to be a snorer or hold your breath at all it might be worth asking about a sleep study. They can do them in your own home these days apparently.