Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Do you sometimes wonder how long it should take you to fall asleep? If yes, then we have an answer. It may not be what you expect it to be. It may take much less time to fall into sleep than you think. Many people struggle with this, particularly in this modern era of technology. They toss and turn in bed, but nothing really helps. Moreover, there are some people who can start napping as soon as they hit the pillow. Lucky bastards!
What Is the Right Time to Fall Asleep?
If it takes you a while to doze off at night, then you may be in a better position than many other people. There are so many who struggle to get rested at night. And there can be many different reasons for this. On average, a person can fall asleep within 7 minutes.
This sleep stage is known as an Alpha stage. Moreover, this stage is not only restricted to sleep. Many who practice meditation generally fall into this range when they mediate. This state is known as the brainwave activity range. People who often pray and chant also tap into this neural activity.
If you doze off within 10 to 20 minutes after you go to bed it means you are in the normal sleeper cycle. This time is known as sleep latency. But if it takes you less than 10 or more than 20 minutes to fall asleep, then there may be something wrong. This means that your body is hinting at it.
One Hour Or More
If it takes one hour or more for you to start dreaming, then it may be because you sleep too much. Or it may also be that you are struggling with sleep. This is insomnia. It happens because you are unable to turn off your thoughts and relax at night. It can also occur because your body is not prepared to sleep. Most likely because you had a lot of caffeine or because of the changes in your circadian rhythm. It can also happen for some other reason, like jet lag, for instance.
If you have any such problems, the first way is to enhance your sleep. If you are still not able to sleep, then you must talk to a doctor. Ask them about ways that can help you to go to bed for a good night’s rest.
Know you have insomnia? Explore our top picks for the best mattresses for insomnia.
Pretty Quickly
If you keep napping immediately after getting into bed, it may hint that you are not getting enough sleep. This may mean that you need to rest more. And, if you still do not pay heed to such signs and do not rest well enough, then you may suffer later on.
How to Fall Asleep Faster?
Most the people generally take more than an hour in order to reach the first sleep stage. They may linger in the Alpha sleep stage for nearly an hour before they doze off. However, some people may take much longer than this to nod off.
The human body is designed in a way that it starts falling asleep once the sun sets. However, the chemical signals, which activate this reaction, are often confused or delayed. This happens due to the use of artificial lighting in our surroundings. Smart devices are also the cause of sleep disorders.
Cell phones, televisions, and computer monitors keep us up all night. So, the main question here is how can you go to sleep faster. We have some tips that can help you to doze off faster and sleep better.
1. Avoid Technology Before Going to Bed
No electronics in bed! You must not use technology, like computers, television, and phones, before bedtime. Scientific studies show that you must not use gadgets at least one hour before going to bed. So, get off the computer, leave your phone in the living room, and switch off the television. Try to do this at least one hour prior to hitting the sack.
Find Out More: How Technology Impacts Sleep Quality
2. Hide Your Clock
Yes, this seems absurd, but concealing your clock can actually help you sleep better. This is because when you stare at the clock, you feel a psychological pressure. You start to think that if you do not doze off quickly, you will not get enough sleep. This makes it harder to get well rested.
3. Take a Bath
If you want to go to sleep faster, you can take a bath before going to bed. A warm bath can relax you and make you feel drowsy. This is because the rapid drop in the temperature of our body imitates what happens while we sleep. The heat enables you to relax more. The heat will also relax your muscles after you go to bed.
Quick Summary
Now that you know how long it takes to nod off (generally ten to twenty minutes), you can analyze your current situation. If it takes you longer than twenty minutes to fall asleep, then your body is certainly trying to tell you that there is something wrong. We hope that our article will help you get a good nights rest.
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
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