Sleep-How much do we really need?

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May 24, 2021
x Min Read

When it comes to our health and wellbeing, we are all different and we all have different needs. Some of us find we feel frustrated and suffer brain fog when we are not able to exercise daily, others feel good when just taking a walk every other day or so. Many of us thrive on having regular social contact,while others struggle without enough time alone. Over the years, we figure out what works best for us, but sleep is often approached differently, with everyone trying to get their eight hours a night.

Sleep however is no different. There shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach, and in obsessing over getting eight hours a night, you could be doing more harm than good. So how much sleep do we really need? Read on to find out…

The Eight Hour Myth

Everyone knows you should try to get around eight hours sleep each night, but is that true across the board? You might find you feel more alert with just six hours sleep, or perhaps you’re better off trying to get more than eight hours - the fact of the matter is we are all different, and we all need different amounts of sleep to feel our best.

The eight hour myth could actually cause more harm than good. All of us have been thereat one time or another - you have an important meeting the next day, or an exam, and you just cannot shut off. You keep looking at the clock, counting how many hours you have left until you have to get up, and panicking about how tired you’re going to feel the next day, in the knowledge that you’re not going to get your eight hours.

Obsessing over trying to get eight hours every night could actually be causing a problem.It’s so easy to get stuck in a negative cycle with sleep, when actually all you need to focus on is what makes you feel good.

Building Healthy Habits

Just like you can create unhealthy habits that disrupt your quality of sleep, you can build healthy habits that help you ensure you get the amount of sleep that’s right for you.

Our modern day obsession with sleep goes further than just worrying about eight hours.Today many of us track our sleep cycle using apps and wearable tech. This doesn’t provide much in the way of benefits - you wake in the morning to find you only got two hours of good quality sleep out of the seven hours you spent in bed, and you can’t turn back the clock and try again. Overall, this information isn’t particularly helpful.

By taking a different approach to sleep, you can improve your sleep quality, get just the right amount of sleep for you, and feel better in various (if not all) aspects of your life.

To build healthy habits to help your sleep quality, it’s important to put a routine in place. Things like no screens for an hour before bed, putting on an eye mask to block out any light and dabbing a little lavender oil on your pressure points will tell the body it’s time for sleep and help you start to relax.

Becoming more mindful of how important preparing your body for sleep is essential to improve your sleep quality. Mindful breathing is a great habit to form as part of your bedtime routine. Working to bring a sense of calm and stillness to your mind, mindful breathing is one of the most effective ways to prepare your body for sleep.

By using Melo, you can incorporate mindful breathing into your routine in an easy and effective way. We recommend the 4:7:8 pattern to gain the most benefit to the mind and body before bed. Developed by Harvard trained Dr. Andrew Well and based on the ancient yogi technique of ‘Pranayama’, this pattern will help you gain control over your breathing, clear your mind and create the perfect starting point for a great night’s sleep.

 

By using Melo as part of your daily routine, you can actively reduce stress and anxiety and improve your overall well being. Portable and easy to use, Melo could completely transform your everyday lifestyle.

To find out more about Melo and how it can improve your mental and physical well being, click here.

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TheaWellbeing and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. All material on theawellbeing.com is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health-related programs.