How many hours of sleep do you need to feel alert, awake, and fully rested during the day? Some people say seven, some say eight, some say nine. You probably know how many hours you need, but how much time should you set aside for bedtime? What time should you go to bed? My thinking is that, if at all possible, you should try to allow an extra 45 minutes to cover the time it takes to fall asleep, any awakenings that may occur during the night, and a gentle, unhurried awakening. For example, if you need eight hours, allow yourself eight hours, plus 45 minutes. It's a more graceful, pleasurable way to sleep.
Sleeping on a tight schedule puts a lot of pressure on you to fall asleep and stay asleep. That feeling of being hurried, of trying to get the maximum amount of sleep in the minimum amount of time, increases arousal and makes your sleep shallower and more fragmented. If, on any given night, you can allow more time for sleep you'll be more relaxed, and as a result you'll sleep better!
How did you sleep last night? What is your experience of sleep? Please let us know!
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