New York: People who fall asleep within 30 minutes or less and wake up no more than once at night qualify for several health benefits associated with good sleep, researchers have suggested.
Being awake for 20 minutes or less after initially falling asleep is another key determinant of good quality sleep, the US non-profit National Sleep Foundation (NSF) said.
Researchers used at-home sleep technology devices – gadgets worn throughout sleep or placed on the bed stand – to analyse the amount of deep and light sleep people get each night, how frequently one wakes up, and the length of tossing and turning on the bed.
“Millions of Americans are sleep technology users. These devices provide a glimpse into one’s sleep universe, which is otherwise unknown and provide consumers with the resources needed to understand their sleep,” said chairperson Max Hirshkowitz.
NSF’s recent Sleep Health Index shows that 27% of people take longer than 30 minutes, on average, to fall asleep.
Sleep deprivation may result in impaired judgement, depression, heart problems, obesity and a drastic reduction in the general well-being of an individual.
The report, published in the journal Sleep Health, also highlights areas where research is needed to identify and further delineate additional indicators of good sleep quality across age groups. – IANS