What happens when you dream for less than six hours a night?
One of the most important things humans need is sleep.
The HSE recommends five to nine hours of sleep every night, with more than seven hours highly recommended for adults.
There’s even some research that shows women require more hours than men.
The Cleveland Clinic says:
“Women typically have more issues affecting their sleep, so they may need slightly more of it to make up for disrupted sleep or poor-quality sleep.”
Metro UK spoke to experts, including Dr Sue Peacock, a consultant health psychologist and sleep expert, about how sleeping for less than six hours a night can impact you.
She explained that there’s a “complex link between sleep-wake cycles and our immune systems.”
“Your immune system produces protective, infection-fighting substances such as cytokines. It uses these substances to combat foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses.”
“These cytokines also help you sleep, giving your immune system more energy to defend your body against illness.”
When you snooze less, you produce fewer cytokines. This can lower the “body’s response to infection”, increase “our vulnerability to disease”, and could increase recovery time from illness.
The impact it has on your mental and physical health
Anxiety can also negatively affect the body’s ability to fall asleep.
“Your brain is in “fight or flight” mode, thinking of all the potential outcomes for whatever is causing the anxiety.”
Furthermore, “anticipatory anxiety” and “specific anxiety about sleep” can develop into insomnia or sleep disturbance, which can create a “feedback loop that can make both conditions worsen.”
Mood can also be affected due to a“reduced capacity for remaining positive” in “emotionally challenging events”.
Additionally, periods can be affected by thyroid hormone levels.
So, what can we do to have a restful night?
Neurologist and psychologist Matt Walker shares that getting out of bed, reading a book, listening to a podcast, or even taking a hot shower can be very helpful.
