Not getting enough sleep is an increasingly common problem across the globe. While people have differing sleep needs in regards to how much sleep is enough for them, in general the average adult needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. There are 2 stages or cycles of sleep:
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep makes up about 25% of the total sleep time and typically is broken up into 4 or 5 individual segments. During REM sleep the body is the most relaxed and dreaming takes place.
Non Rapid Eye Movement (Non REM) sleep makes up about 75% of the total sleep time and is normally without dreams occurring. This is when limb movement occurs during the sleep and also when sleep walking may take place.
During a normal sleep cycle, there will be movement between the 2 stages with the amount of REM sleep increasing as the night progresses.
Research shows that around 25 to 40% of women across the world need more sleep than they get. It also shows that 15 to 30% of men suffer from sleep disorders.
Relaxation is key to good sleep and can improve overall health and the feeling of well-being. All it usually takes is just 15 minutes a day devoted to relaxing and unwinding. Progressive deep muscle relaxation, massage, yoga, meditation and hypnotherapy are few of the relaxation techniques that can be practiced easily to prevent or to manage sleeplessness effectively.
Remember, sometimes the most productive thing one can do is to sleep.
Article by Ms. Mahalakshmi.S.
Consultant Psychologist
Kauvery Hospital, Chennai