Sleep latency (also known as sleep onset lancy or SO) is making headlines for some interesting reasons. According to a new study, it is the most important indicator of restful sleep.
Let’s start at the beginning. What is sleep latency exactly?Sleep latency simply refers to the time it takes to fall asleep.Dr. Dorothy Bruck is a sleep psychologist and chairwoman of The Sleep Health Foundation. She explains that sleep latency can be measured as the time you turn off the lights with the intention to fall asleep until the point when you enter the non-rapid eyes movement (NREM).
This new study suggests that how quickly you fall asleep and how long it takes to get to sleep is more important than what time you sleep. Unfortunately, the full text of this study is not yet available so we cannot comment on how scientists arrived at this conclusion.Sleep experts know how crucial sleep latency can be. We are able to provide information on sleep latency and tips to help you fall asleep comfortably every night.
Why Sleep Latency Is Important?
Sleep latency is a foundation for good sleep. Good sleep latency will increase your chances of getting through the natural stages of sleep. REM is the deepest form of sleep. However, both are crucial to a good night’s sleep and feeling refreshed in the morning.
You might be asking: How long should my sleep delay be? The answer isn’t always that you get better sleep the faster your fall asleep.Researchers say that 15 minutes is the ideal time to sleep. Here’s how.
It is possible to fall asleep too quickly, say in five or ten minutes. This can be a sign that you are suffering from sleep deprivation. Dr. Delwyn Bartlett, a Sydney-based sleep expert, explains:
Undiagnosed sleep disorder can lead to rapid falling asleep and heavy snoring. You can also fall asleep quickly and experience depression. This is a great way to forget about all your problems.
But, if you take tolong to fall asleep, it could be a sign that your mind is racing or that you are stressed.
Although lying down at night is the best way to let your mind clear the day’s stress, the wakefulness caused by this thinking can keep you awake at night. The chances of you falling asleep are reduced if you worry about it. In the end, insomnia can develop after a few weeks or even days.
Between being awake and falling asleep, the ideal time is between 15-20 minutes.
These are some tips to help you fall asleep quicker if you’re tired of lying in bed counting sheep at night.
- It’s time to put your phone down. Science has repeatedly shown that artificial light can cause sleep deprivation and weight gain. Limit screen exposure to 2-3 hours before bed.
- Set a bedtime routine.You can create a routine for your night so that you know when it is time to go to bed. You could do this by reading, drinking tea, meditation, writing in your journal, or a combination. It is important to be consistent in your routine so that your body can recognize it and have a easier time falling asleep.
- Make sure the room is dark.You can also damage your sleep by artificial light. Consider purchasing blackout curtains or a sleep mask to make your bedroom as dark as possible.
Sleepopolis will be publishing the new study on sleep latency. We’ll be sharing our thoughts on it once we have! For a better nights sleep, you can focus on the sweet 15-20 minute duration of sleep latency.
