Camilla Jessen
Why 8 hours of sleep may not be enough.
Getting a full night’s sleep is no guarantee of feeling well rested. But many people still wake up tired, even after eight hours in bed.
Experts say the issue may not be how long you sleep, but how well you sleep.
Dr. Wendy Troxel, a clinical psychologist and senior behavioral scientist at RAND, says there is an important difference between sleep quantity and sleep quality.
“Many people will say, ‘Man, I’m sleeping enough, I got seven to eight hours of sleep, but I still wake up feeling groggy and not refreshed,’” she told Fox News Digital.
“About one in three adults has non-restorative sleep quality.”
This means that even if you spend enough time in bed, your body may not be getting the rest it needs.
What affects sleep
Dr. Troxel said several everyday habits can affect sleep quality.
“There are many factors that can contribute to poor sleep quality, regardless of how many hours you slept,” she explained.
These include diet, caffeine intake, alcohol use and screen time before bed.
She also noted that women may be more affected by poor sleep quality than men.
“What we absolutely know is that women’s sleep quality often suffers more than men’s,” she said.
Evening habits matter
What you do in the evening can play a big role in how well you sleep.
Dr. Troxel advised avoiding heavy meals close to bedtime.
“You don’t want to be starving at bedtime, but you also don’t want to be trying to fall asleep on a full stomach while your body’s still actively digesting,” she said.
Eating too late or choosing foods that cause discomfort can make it harder to fall into deep, restful sleep.
Timing of exercise
Exercise is usually good for sleep, but timing matters.
Dr. Troxel warned that working out late in the evening can actually have the opposite effect.
“Exercise is very stimulating, particularly if it’s in a social environment, and that can disrupt sleep,” she said.
She suggested exercising earlier in the day instead.
Overall, experts say improving sleep quality — not just sleep length — is key to waking up feeling refreshed.
Sources: Fox News Digital, RAND Corporation, Unilad
