What is normal sleep?
There are big differences in how much sleep you need. Some people have a low need for sleep and feel rested after 5 hours, while others need far more to function well. Both parts are normal. Most people sleep between 6-9 hours a night.
What happens to the body when you don't sleep?
Insomnia can, among other things, lead to aching muscles, headaches, reduced immune system, increased stress, increased blood pressure, tremors and slow signal transmission in the brain. The effects will stabilize if you sleep normally again. Insomnia over time increases the risk of diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
Is sleep deficiency dangerous?
Sleep deficiency is not dangerous for short periods, but over time it can affect memory and concentration, ability to work and productivity. With a lack of sleep, you can experience microsleeps, short flashes of sleep that you don't notice yourself. This increases the risk of accidents in traffic. For people with serious disorders, such as psychosis or bipolar disorder, sleep deprivation can worsen the disorder.
Can you sleep for too long?
A rule of thumb is that if you feel rested and clear during the day, your sleep has been good enough, regardless of its length. Sometimes it can feel good to sleep a lot even if it is not really good for your health, for example in the case of depression. Too much sleep, like too little sleep, is linked to health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, headaches, back problems and heart disease.
Why do I wake up in the middle of the night?
When we sleep, we repeatedly move through sleep stages of varying depth. Some people may find it easy to wake up when they are in the light stages of sleep. Often this is due to stress or other health problems.
