How to know if you are getting enough sleep

South Africa is a sleep deprived population which puts us at risk of various health problems.  If you wake up feeling anything but fresh and well-rested, chances are you fall into this large group of sleep deprived people…and that’s something you want to fix asap. Here’s why:

1. Your brain can’t work without it. Sleep supports brain and mind function by improving concentration, cognitive function, performance and mental health stability.
2. Helps you maintain a steady body weight. People who sleep well are more likely to exercise, eat well, drink more water and less alcohol, and lead an active lifestyle.
3. Keeps your heart strong Good sleep reduces the risk of heart-related diseases as it helps the body regulate blood pressure naturally.
4. Boosts your mental health: The risk of suffering from mental health problems such as depression is reduced if you sleep well.
5. Supports a healthy immune system. While your mind is resting, your body uses sleep time  to  repair, recover and regenerate which makes a good night’s sleep vital for a healthy body

You might be sleeping well, but are you sleeping enough? While there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to the exact number of hours you need to sleep to feel your best when you wake up, there is a general rule of thumb you should follow to get it right. It all works with age:

• If you are between 18 – 60 years old, you should opt for seven hours or more per night.
• People over 60 need at least eight hours of sleep per night.

I’ve slept 8 hours and still feel tired, why? As with most things in life, quality trumps quantity – and sleep is no exception. Signs of poor-quality sleep include waking up multiple times during the night, waking up tired or sleepy even after the recommended number of hours of sleep. An easy way to find out if you are sleeping well on the regular is to try a sleep tracking app to understand how many hours you sleep a night and if you have a healthy sleep/wake cycle.