Something to think about:
A REM cycle takes 3 hours to complete. If you sleep 6 hours you complete 2, if you sleep 9 hours you complete 3. If you are woke up before your REM cycle is complete you are groggy and tired and may have a headache.
This might account why most people say they need 6 or 9 hours of sleep.
If you can't get a good 9 hours of sleep, it might be better to wake yourself up after 6.
Why society says "a person need 7 hours of sleep" is crazy. That wakes you up at the beginning of a 3rd REM cycle.
If you power nap for 20-30 mins you are waking yourself up BEFORE you start a REM cycle hence you are not tired. If you take a 3 hour nap you will probably feel really good. Napping outside of this cycle may account for why people say "If I take a nap I am more tired or have a headache".
I need 9. Unfortunately I get 7 with no nap. Mostly groggy all day.
1 comment:
This is very good information. I usually sleep about 5 to 6 hours. I don't take naps. I usually feel well rested, but tire quicker than others.
Donna
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