Restless sleep is a condition in which someone finds it difficult to fall asleep or remain asleep for the normal amount of time. During restless sleep, you may move around in bed, toss and turn, or even get up and move around the house. It might feel like you can't turn off your brain, and thoughts keep coming into your mind. In the morning you will likely still feel tired, because you didn't get enough deep, restorative sleep.
If you are struggling with restless sleep, it is important to make healthy lifestyle choices and seek out professional help if necessary. By making a few simple changes to your daily routine and practicing some good sleep hygiene habits, you can significantly improve the quality of your sleep and reduce feelings of fatigue, irritability, or depression. You deserve to get the rest you need to live your best life!
Restlessness can be caused by a variety of different physical and psychological factors, ranging from emotional distress to medical conditions such as chronic pain or sleep apnea. Other potential causes include caffeine consumption late in the day, consuming alcohol before bedtime, stress and anxiety levels that are too high, an uncomfortable sleeping environment, or irregular sleeping patterns.
Occasional restless sleep is normal, and it happens to everyone now and again. On average, a person can experience 10-30 periods of restless sleep every night. Some nights you may experience more restlessness than others, particularly if you had a stressful day.
The short answer is, no, restless sleep doesn't count towards your total hours of sleep. However, if you're in bed and resting your body, that is still better than not sleeping at all.
If you are struggling to sleep through the night and feel exhausted during the day, your restless sleep may be a problem. If you are also experiencing symptoms like irritability, fatigue, or depression, it is important to seek out professional help. There are many strategies that can be used to improve sleep quality, and a doctor can help you find the best treatment plan for you.
The effects of restless sleep can be far-reaching and detrimental to one’s health. People who experience this type of insomnia may find themselves feeling fatigued during the day and unable to concentrate on tasks due to lack of restful sleep. It can also lead to irritability and difficulty forming relationships with other people. Long-term bouts of restless sleep can eventually cause depression, as well as memory loss or impaired cognitive performance.
There are various strategies that can be used to help manage restless sleep. Some of these strategies include creating a comfortable and relaxing sleeping environment, practicing relaxation techniques before bedtime, limiting caffeine or alcohol intake in the evening, exercising regularly to reduce stress and improve sleep quality, avoiding large meals near bedtime, talking to a doctor about medications that may be affecting your sleep, and trying cognitive behavioral therapy to help address mental habits that may be interfering with sleep.
Adopting a regular sleeping schedule with consistent wake up times throughout the week can help establish strong circadian rhythms which will make falling asleep easier each night. Incorporating relaxation exercises such as yoga, meditation or spending time outdoors may also help diminish anxious thoughts that could keep you awake at night. Finally, exploring natural remedies such as herbal teas known for their calming effects or drinking chamomile tea before bedtime may provide additional relief from these symptoms associated with restless sleep.
Be sure to check out our sleep guide for more sleeping tips: Learn How to Sleep Better & Wake Up Refreshed
