Is it important to get your 7-8 hrs of sleep all at one time or can it be broken up into naps?
If you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day, but it is not all at once, for example, You sleep a couple hours then wake up for a couple hours until you have eventually slept 7 or 8 hours in that 24 hour period, does this matter or are you still considered to be getting 7 to 8 hours sleep every 24 hours? I guess you can tell I have insomnia. I hate to sleep at night. I like being awake in the wee hours. It's peaceful and quiet (probably because all the people with any sense are asleep!) and I can think and get things done in the house. Sometimes I sleep 2 to 4 hours at night and then make up the rest in naps during the day. This is a question that I have worried about for a long time. Thanks!
Hi Happy:
You're right, sometimes it's not possible to get 7-8 hours of sleep. Sleep can depend on many things, such as age, mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder or drug use (either legal or illegal) including caffeine intake.
If possible, you should try to get into a "normal" sleep pattern, not only so you can dream, but so your immune system has a chance to work, and the cells in your body have time to rejuvenate. New cells need rest time to grow, and systems need "down time" to heal.
Talk with your physician or a therapist about getting into a better sleep pattern, if possible.
Regards,
Dr. Diana Walcutt
*Dr. Walcutt is a Psychologist. Dr. Walcutt's answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.
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Hey Happy70sgirl:
One of the writers here on the site, Florence, actually wrote a recent post about this subject! Check it out There seem to be some scientists who think that humans are actually meant to sleep in shifts rather than all at one time. Let me know if this is helpful!
Sofia
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