Many of us don’t realize how quickly the body can fall asleep as it’s usually a stage that we don’t remember too well. However, being able to reach the stage where you can fall asleep is something that a lot of people struggle with.
There are so many distractions nowadays in the form of technology with phones, tablets, and TVs that it’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to be able to switch off. As a result, you may find yourself tossing and turning for hours through the night being unable to sleep. On the other hand, some can fall asleep within minutes of hitting their head on the pillow.
This post covers the different times that it takes people to fall asleep along with tips that you can implement to start falling asleep faster to get more rest and wake up feeling refreshed.
How Long Should It Take To Fall Asleep?
On average, it has been found that people can fall asleep in under 10 minutes. Falling asleep within 10 minutes is what’s referred to as the alpha stage. It’s worth noting that this stage of falling asleep can be achieved by people who practice deep meditation.
The more common period that it takes people to fall asleep is between 10 and 20 minutes. This is the sleeping stage that’s called sleep latency and this is the recommended amount of time that it should take you to fall asleep.
If you find that it consistently takes you longer than 20 minutes to fall asleep, there’s an issue as your body is struggling to get itself into a deep rest.
Why Does It Take Me So Long To Fall Asleep
Those of you who are having a difficult time being able to fall asleep for more than an hour may be wondering why it can take hours to be fast asleep. One of the biggest reasons for this could be because you sleep too often.
Getting too many hours of sleep regularly can cause your body to have a difficult time being able to feel tired at your desired bedtime. This is what can lead to you feeling wide awake while lying in bed.
Another common problem that interferes with your ability to fall asleep quickly is insomnia. This is a condition that can get quite severe if you don’t get professional help. However, there are also cases of insomnia that has been caused due to habits in your life.
For example, if you drink a lot of caffeine throughout the day and into the evening, your body will have a hard time falling asleep as you’re too stimulated. In this case, lowering your caffeine intake and avoiding coffee after midday could be one way to help you fall asleep quicker at night.
Other reasons for being unable to sleep fast enough at night could include jet lag or napping too much during the day. These kinds of reasons are things that you can alter yourself to sleep better. Having said that, insomnia without any of these problems could be a sign of a more severe problem that may require help from a professional.
What Are The Best Ways To Fall Asleep Quicker?
The first stage of falling asleep (alpha stage) is one that you may end up staying in for an hour or more. This is because it’s the stage where you’re not quite in a deep sleep but you’re on the right path.
Some people may even be in the alpha sleep stage for a couple of hours before finally being able to rest deeply. People who have a healthy circadian rhythm will find themselves falling asleep in the alpha stage faster when it gets darker.
The circadian rhythm is the body’s natural body clock and once you get in sync with it, you’ll have an easier time falling asleep naturally once it gets darker. Your body releases melatonin naturally when it gets dark which makes you feel drowsy so that you can fall asleep quicker.
Take Time To Unwind
The best way to doze off easily is to take some time out for yourself towards the end of the day to relax. Try your best to put any worries to the side and keep yourself relaxed so that you can start making sleep a priority.
One of the ways you can achieve this is to take a bath in warm water. The heat from the bath is a fantastic way to relax your muscles physically which makes it easier for you to feel drowsy and ready for bed.
Avoid Screens
Avoiding any type of screens right before going to bed is a must if you’re serious about being able to fall asleep quicker. This means turning the TV off and putting phones, tablets, and laptops somewhere away from your bed.
The blue light that’s emitted from screens confuses the brain because you’re in a dark environment but there are bright lights in front of you which sends signals for you to stay awake. We recommend that you avoid any type of screens for at least one hour before going to sleep.
Don’t Check The Time Too Often
This may sound counterintuitive at first but looking at the time too often while you’re trying to sleep makes it more difficult for you to relax. If you’re always looking at the time, it makes you anxious to try and sleep within a certain amount of time.
The best way to fall asleep is to do so naturally and keeping a close eye on the clock puts pressure on you. So, try to avoid looking at the time once you’re in bed and trying to sleep, otherwise, you could end up being awake for more hours than you’d prefer.
Conclusion
That concludes our post on how long it should take to fall asleep. Ideally, you’ll want to be asleep within 10-20 minutes of getting into bed. However, it can sometimes take longer which may be normal if you’ve had a stressful day or other factors have kept you awake.
Although, if it’s taking a long time to fall asleep (1-2 hours or more) then it means there are problems you need to address. Start implementing the tips on how to fall asleep faster and take note of any habits that could be keeping you too stimulated at night. Hopefully, you can use the details throughout our post to fall asleep quicker and wake up energized for the day.
