Should we sleep eight hours a night?

Dr. Eric Montagne March 8, 2018 Uncategorized 0

Sleeping eight hours a night, the magic number, why? Let’s see the origins of the word night in many languages:

Portuguese: noite = n + oito (8)
English: night = n + eight (8)
German: nacht = n + acht (8)
Spanish: noche = n + ocho (8)
italian: note = n + otto (8)
French: nuit = n + huit (8)

So should we sleep eight hours? Well, not necessarily! We are not all equal when it comes to sleep. The ideal duration of sleep is extremely variable from one individual to another.

How many hours of sleep should I have?

The ideal sleep time is biologically different for each person. The norm for an adult is 7 to 8 hours, but in reality it varies between 3 and 12 hours.

In addition, the older we are, the less sleep we need. A baby will need, on average, 15 to 20 hours of sleep versus 10 to 12 hours for a child. On the other hand, a teenager will normally need 9 to 10 hours and only 7 to 8 hours will be needed for the adult. An elderly person needs very little sleep.

The duration of sleep that is needed is that which allows, during the day, to engage in a long activity, sitting, remaining focused and without drowsiness. It is therefore essential to know yourself well in order to find the ideal amount of sleep. But how do you know if you have enough or too little sleep? A good test to know your rhythm is to ask yourself the following questions:

In the morning, do I feel tired or rejuvenated?
During the day, do I ever experience periods of drowsiness?
Am I having trouble focusing my attention on something during the day?

It goes without saying that if you answered “yes” to the majority of these questions, you need more sleep than at present. If, on the contrary, you answered “no”, your amount of sleep suits you perfectly.
How many hours of sleep should I sleep?

The quantity of your sleep versus its quality

Whether you are a short or long duration sleeper, the length of your sleep will count relatively little if its quality is altered. Indeed, you can feel in perfect shape after only 5 hours of rest if your sleep has been deep and recuperating. On the other hand, 10 hours may be insufficient if your night has been dotted with frequent alarms and your sleep has remained light.

Some tips for a good sleep

Avoid eating too late and fatty.

Do not stress your digestive organs, which require extra effort to do their usual work just before going to bed.
Avoid too much spicy, caffeinated or sweet food.

Spices stimulate the body. It is the same for sugar and caffeine.
Go to sleep and rise at regular hours

Your body likes habits and gets conditioned to sink into sleep when the time comes at regular hours.
Avoid all stimulant.

Whether playing a sport, listening to an action movie, having an intense conversation with your spouse, or thinking of a distressing situation, it is recommended to avoid anything that could create too much stimulation. or even stress, before going to bed.
The importance of a ritual.

Try to introduce a soothing ritual for your body. So, drinking a hot beverage (decaffeinated), settling comfortably for a light reading, taking a hot bath or listening to soft music are all examples that will promote a good sleep.
Spend your energy during the day.

Deep sleep and recovery will be enhanced, without a doubt, if you are active during the day.

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