How To Get More Out of Less Sleep

It’s been proven that the amount of time we get to spend in bed is decreasing, meaning that we are spending more time awake and less time asleep than ever before.

While it’s important to get enough sleep, the quality of our sleep is more important than the number of hours racked up.  In fact, some research suggests that sleeping too much can be as detrimental to your health as not sleeping enough. Oversleeping is linked to depression, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

But repeatedly getting less sleep than you need is harmful too. The trick is to find the sweet spot for yourself – it won’t be 8 hours (that’s just an average estimate – everyone is unique in the amount of sleep they need). Once you’ve figured out the right number for you, focus on making sure it’s quality sleep you’re getting.

How to Improve Your Quality of Sleep

Are you in sleep “debt”?

Sleep debt is the difference between the amount of sleep you need and amount the amount you actually get. Every time you sacrifice on sleep, you add to the debt. However, don’t think that sleeping in on the weekends is enough to ‘pay it back’.

“You cannot make up for large sleep losses during the week by sleeping in on weekends any more than you can make up for lack of regular exercise and overeating during the week by working out and dieting only on the weekends”

- James B. Maas, Power Sleep

Dr. Maas, author of Power Sleep, recommends going to bed earlier to help pay off your sleep debt, as this maintains your normal waking time. You could could also consider taking a couple of naps. Read more about sleep debt here.

Once you have paid off any sleep debt, you should aim to go to bed and to get up at the same time every day. Over time this will set your internal clock, making it not only easier to go to sleep and wake up, but also ensuring a better quality of sleep.

TIP: Keep a sleep diary. Note down when you go to bed, when you wake up and how you feel during the day. This will help you to understand your individual patterns of sleep.

Knock 30-60 minutes off of the time you spend ‘trying to sleep’

> Avoid screens (phones, computers, TVs etc.) before bed: The artificial light coming from backlit devices suppresses melatonin – the hormone which regulates sleep.

> Control your mind: your state of mind plays a big role in your ability to sleep (and sleep deeply). If you’re worried or anxious, you will find it harder to get to sleep. There are multiple ways to combat this, the trick is to find one that works for you:

• Reading a book (for no longer than 30 minutes)
• Meditate
• Take a bath

> “4-7-8” breathing trick: Breath in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and exhale through your mouth for 8 seconds. This woman swears by it. 

Other ways to improve your sleep quality

We tend to think of sleep as an inconvenience, but sleep has a significant impact on our health and wellbeing. Investing in your sleep quality will make you a happier and healthier person (and stop feelings of fatigue throughout the day).

> Exercise: A study has concluded that people sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week.

> Invest in a good bed: Considering that you use your bed every single night, never underestimate the power of a good mattress/pillows/sheets. You can’t expect to sleep well if you’re not comfortable. 

> Take naps: Studies show that 20 minutes of napping in the afternoon provides more rest than 20 minutes more sleep in the morning.

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