Based on the provided reference, there isn't a single, exact number for how many times you should wake up at night. Instead, the reference indicates what is considered normal.
What is Considered Normal?
According to the information provided from The Washington Post:
- "Everyone wakes up a few times per night." This suggests that waking up multiple times is a natural part of the sleep cycle, not necessarily a sign of a problem.
- "Cycling out of sleep roughly every 90 minutes to two hours is normal." This explains the reason behind these awakenings – your brain naturally shifts between different sleep stages throughout the night, typically completing a cycle every 90 to 120 minutes. Momentarily coming close to or briefly entering wakefulness is part of this transition.
Therefore, it is normal to wake up a few times throughout the night as your body cycles through sleep stages.
When Might Waking Up Be a Problem?
While waking a few times is normal, the reference notes that "frequent wakings can affect physical, emotional and mental functioning." This implies that waking up too many times, or waking up and having difficulty falling back asleep (which isn't explicitly detailed in this specific snippet but is the common distinction in sleep science), is what can lead to negative consequences.
In summary:
- It's normal to wake up a few times.
- These awakenings often align with cycling out of sleep roughly every 90 minutes to two hours.
- Becoming overly aware of or bothered by these brief awakenings, or experiencing frequent wakings that disrupt sleep quality, can be problematic.
The goal isn't to wake up zero times, but rather for normal awakenings to be brief and not lead to prolonged wakefulness that impacts overall sleep duration and quality.
