Several people struggle with sleeping disorders. In fact, about 20% of adults struggle with chronic insomnia. But how long does it take for a regular person to fall asleep?
The proper bedtime routine can take an average person 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep. If you are having a harder dozing off, you have an underlying issue you may need to address.
What is Normal Sleep?
In order for an individual to function well, a regular sleeping pattern is essential. When we talk about normal sleep, that means you are falling asleep within 10 to 20 minutes and getting about 7 to 8 hours of rest each night. It is pretty different with children. Older kids and teens would need 10 hours of sleep to optimize their growth. Smaller kids and babies would need more.
Studies show that if it takes you longer to fall asleep, the quality of sleep is diminished. Chronic prolonged sleep latency can be an indication of an underlying sleeping condition. So if you’re experiencing difficulty sleeping once in a while, that’s perfectly fine. (Source: Healthline)
Factors That Can Affect Sleep Latency
There can be several reasons you have a hard time falling asleep. You may be going to bed too early, have a poor bedtime routine, or have a sleeping condition you are not fully aware of.
Disrupted Circadian Rhythm
Your biological rhythm is a cycle that runs your body and tells you what it is time to wake up, sleep, and perform other bodily functions. But not everyone’s rhythm is the same. Some people may prefer to sleep and wake up earlier, and others may be more productive at night.
If you are more active during the evenings, you may find yourself sleeping later at night. While early birds would have an earlier night in. (Source: Healthline)
Poor Bedtime Routine
A proper bedtime routine is essential. If you’re not falling asleep within the 10 to 20 minute mark, it may be due to poor sleep hygiene. To get quality sleep, you must avoid exercising at night, avoid drinking caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime, avoid taking late afternoon naps and staying away from screens before going to bed.
It’s all about consistency too. By following a specific routine, you will be able to train your body to fall asleep within the normal sleep latency range. (Source: Healthline)
Sleeping Disorders
If you are constantly having a hard time falling asleep. You may want to get checked for insomnia.
Insomnia may occur at random due to other health conditions you have or medications you might be taking. If you are unable to fall asleep within a half-hour of turning off the lights, it might be best to seek medical attention.
At first, you would be given a nighttime routine to follow. If that doesn’t help, they may need to test you to determine the severity of the issue. There are several ways to treat insomnia, depending on how extensive it is. Those with chronic insomnia would need to take medication. (Source: Healthline)