Sleep 8 hours a night, why do I still feel tired when I wake up?

Many people believe that getting eight hours of sleep a night is the key to a healthy body and a refreshed mind.

However, many people, despite sleeping 8 hours a night, still wake up feeling tired, lethargic and lacking in energy, according to the Hindustan Times .

Dr. Christopher J. Allen, a sleep and neurologist (in the US), said the problem is not the quantity of sleep but the quality. He affirmed that the body does not need more sleep, but needs better sleep.

Many people, despite sleeping 8 hours a night, still wake up feeling tired, lethargic and lacking in energy.

Photo: AI

Reasons for sleeping 8 hours a night but still feeling tired

In the medical world, maintaining 7-8 hours of sleep each night is considered the ideal standard for the body to recover and regenerate energy.

Sleep helps the immune system function effectively, improves memory and keeps mood stable. However, getting enough sleep does not guarantee that the body is truly rested.

Many people wake up with headaches, dry mouths or heaviness after getting 8 hours of sleep, indicating poor sleep quality.

One of the causes of this condition is disruption in deep sleep stages, an important stage that helps the body regenerate energy and restore biological functions.

When sleep is interrupted by noise, stress, or underlying disorders like snoring or sleep apnea, the body's rest process is severely affected. Even if the clock says you've gotten 8 hours of sleep, your body isn't actually recovering properly.

The harmful effects of poor quality sleep

Poor quality sleep prevents the body from maintaining a stable circadian rhythm. When the biological clock is disrupted, sleep-regulating hormones such as melatonin and cortisol work out of sync, causing difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep, and prolonged fatigue.

To improve sleep quality, Dr. Allen recommends closely observing sleep behavior and signs of abnormalities.

If you notice any problems, you should see a sleep specialist for proper testing and diagnosis.

Disorders such as sleep apnea not only reduce the quality of rest but also seriously affect the heart and brain if prolonged.

How to get quality sleep

Dr. Allen recommends going to bed and waking up at the same time every day to stabilize your circadian rhythm.

Before going to bed, you should not use your phone, computer or watch movies too late because the blue light from the screen will inhibit the secretion of melatonin, making it difficult for the body to fall asleep.

The bedroom should be kept quiet, well-ventilated and at a suitable temperature, around 24 degrees Celsius is ideal.

Eating a large dinner or drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages before bed can disrupt your sleep. Instead, have a light snack of easily digestible foods like vegetables, fruit, or whole grains.

You can also drink about 150 to 200 ml of warm water before going to bed to help your body relax and fall asleep easier.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngu-8-gio-moi-dem-vi-sao-thuc-day-van-cam-thay-met-moi-185251028154727777.htm