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5 reasons you feel better on 4 hours of sleep compared to 8, says chief medical officer
Just because you feel more restful after four hours of sleep than eight doesn’t mean your body is performing at its maximum efficiency, a doctor has said.
Americans aren’t getting enough sleep even though it has a knock-on effect on the rest of your health. A lack of sleep can spark dips in mental health, increase your chances of a serious health condition, and even take a toll on your brain function 10 years later.
You’re not well-rested after four hours of sleep
Now that daylight savings time is officially over, and with it an increase in accidents, it has never been more important to take care of your sleep health.
Despite that, many of us are firm on our position that sometimes four hours of sleep feels significantly better than the recommended 7.5 to eight hours. Turns out, there are a few reasons why you think that, and sadly, it doesn’t change the fact you need your eight hours.
Speaking to The Focus, Acadia Healthcare’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Genovese, said there are 5 major reasons you feel better on minimal sleep.
“Our sleep is divided into cycles that last about 90 minutes each. Each cycle includes light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep stages. If you wake up at the end of a sleep cycleparticularly during light sleepyou tend to feel more alert and refreshed,” he explained. “So, if your four-hour sleep means you woke up at the right point in a sleep cycle, you might feel better than if eight hours had you waking up in the middle of deep sleep.”
If it’s not your sleep cycle, the doctor said that sleep inertia could be the culprit you are looking for. It’s that groggy feeling you get after deep sleep, which you obviously don’t get if you’ve only been in rest mode for four hours.
There could also be a hormonal component, as Doctor Genovese explained: “Sometimes, getting less sleep can cause your body to release stress hormones like cortisol. This can temporarily make you feel more alert and energetic, even without enough rest. However, relying on this is not a good idea in the long term.”
It’s you, you’re the problem
Jokes aside, the doctor said that there could be a psychological component for why you feel four hours feels better than eight.
“There is also a mental aspect. If you believe sleeping less gives you more time to get things done, you might feel more positive and energized simply because of your mindset,” he noted.
As is the case with a lot of health issues, including your competency in later life, there is a genetic factor to your sleep habits. You might simply be built differently.
Regardless of the reason behind your stance that four feels better than eight, there is no denying what doctors and parents have been telling you for years – you need your eight hours of sleep a night!
