I’ve heard that each sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes. Would it be more effective to wake up at the end of a sleep cycle, rather than in the middle, even if it means slightly less sleep? Ideally, I would like to get more sleep, but it’s not possible right now.
Absolutely, yes.
Aris said:
Absolutely, yes.
Thanks! I appreciate the positive vibe.
It depends. It might not help if it takes you a while to fall asleep. But if you fall asleep quickly, it could definitely be beneficial.
Taliesin said:
It depends. It might not help if it takes you a while to fall asleep. But if you fall asleep quickly, it could definitely be beneficial.
Thanks a lot. I do tend to fall asleep pretty fast.
I’m on the lookout for an alarm clock or app that can integrate with a sleep tracker to optimize this.
I’ve been using a free app called Sleepytime that does the math for you. I stopped for a bit due to a routine change, but since I resumed, I really feel more awake when my alarm goes off. I don’t use it if it means drastically less sleep, though, because I’m often short on sleep as it is.
It’s definitely better to wake up at the end of a sleep cycle. Waking up just after REM sleep, which is quite a light phase, is easier than in the middle of deep sleep. Have you tried setting a consistent wake-up time? It helps align with your circadian rhythm, making you naturally refreshed. Here’s a video that explains why a consistent routine is helpful: https://youtu.be/INS7WO3yac0
This really depends on the individual, but I personally plan my sleep around cycles and find it much better to wake up between them rather than during.
Definitely. I used to sleep for about 8 hours, switched to around 7 and it made a huge difference. It might not work for everyone and 90 minutes is just an average, so you might need to adjust your timing. Some smartwatches can also wake you up during lighter sleep stages which might be worth looking into.
@Kip
I might try one of those watches. Thanks for the tip!