Should you go back to sleep after waking up naturally?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 09, 2026
So if you're waking up early between those hours and you haven't had at least seven hours of shut-eye, you might begin to feel groggy as the day pushes on. Bottom line: If you're like most adults, then you need at least seven hours of sleep a night — regardless of when you first wake up.
Should I go back to sleep if I wake up early?
Overall, it's best to go to bed earlier in the night and wake up early each day. Still, this type of sleep schedule may not work for everyone. It's far more important to make sure you get enough sleep and that it's good quality sleep. You can ensure this happens by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
Should I stay awake after waking up naturally?
Walker says: “Most people – as long as they are sleeping in synchrony with their body rhythms and getting sufficient sleep – should be able to wake up for the most part naturally, and require very little nudging. A normal alarm should do it.”
Is it normal to want to go back to sleep after waking up?
Waking up feeling slightly groggy or tired is just part of the human experience. It's called sleep inertia: "The transitional state between sleep and wake, marked by impaired performance … and a desire to return to sleep." The main thing to know about sleep inertia is it is completely normal.
Is it worth it to go back to sleep for an hour?
Because if you can squeeze in even an extra hour, it will almost certainly make you look better, feel better and be better at your job. But an extra hour should be just the beginning, experts caution. The real benefits of sleep come from setting a personal, optimal sleeping schedule – and sticking to it no matter what.
45 related questions foundIs 2 hours sleep better than none?
Ideally, you should try to get more than 90 minutes of sleep. Sleeping between 90 and 110 minutes gives your body time to complete one full sleep cycle and can minimize grogginess when you wake. But any sleep is better than not at all — even if it's a 20-minute nap.
Is 4 hours sleep better than none?
For most people, 4 hours of sleep per night isn't enough to wake up feeling rested and mentally alert, no matter how well they sleep. There's a common myth that you can adapt to chronically restricted sleep, but there's no evidence that the body functionally adapts to sleep deprivation.
Why do I wake up feeling like I got hit by a truck?
That heavy feeling right after you wake up is called sleep inertia. You feel tired, maybe a little disoriented, and not quite fully ready to hit the ground running. It can affect anyone.
Are short naps better than long ones?
A short nap of 20 to 30 minutes can improve mood, sharpen focus, and reduce fatigue. If you nap for longer than 30 minutes, you may find yourself feeling more groggy and fatigued. However, naps should not replace the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more advice.
Why do I shake when I wake up?
There are a number of reasons that we may wake up feeling shaky and experiencing trembling, and whilst this can be quite alarming, it is often not due to any emergency cause. The most common reasons that we may experience shaking are due to low blood sugar levels and anxiety, as you have mentioned.
Is it better to wake up naturally or with an alarm?
When asked how well-rested they feel over the course of the day, respondents who wake up without an alarm were by far the best rested of the bunch. Natural risers were 10 percent more likely to feel well-rested during the day than participants who use an alarm to wake up.
How do you not go back to sleep after waking up?
The following 10 tips may help you.
- Get rid of bright lights or loud sounds. ...
- Get out of bed and move. ...
- Avoid staring at the clock. ...
- Avoid checking your phone or other screens. ...
- Meditate or try breathing exercises. ...
- Relax your muscles. ...
- Keep your lights off. ...
- Focus on something boring.
Is it OK to sleep late but get enough sleep?
Myth: It Doesn't Matter When You Sleep as Long as You Sleep Enough Hours. Studies have demonstrated that the timing of sleep matters, and it's best to sleep as much as possible during hours of darkness. Sleeping at night helps align the body's circadian rhythm, or internal clock, with its environment.
What should I do immediately after waking up?
9 things to do after waking up to stay healthy
- Drink some water. When I wake up, the first thing that comes up is a glass of water. ...
- Exercise. ...
- Check schedule. ...
- Excrete. ...
- Shower. ...
- Check news. ...
- Eat breakfast. ...
- Hug.
Is broken sleep better than no sleep?
Share on Pinterest Researchers say interrupted sleep is more likely to lead to poor mood than lack of sleep. Published in the journal Sleep, the study found that people whose sleep was frequently interrupted for 3 consecutive nights reported significantly worse mood than those who had less sleep due to later bedtimes.
Does 20 minutes of sleep make a difference?
Rebecca Robbins, PhD, sleep expert and postdoctoral researcher at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, explains that an extra 20 minutes is all it takes to make a difference for your overall health. "Sleep is of the brain, by the brain, and for the brain," says Dr.
Is a 3 hour nap too long?
Naps for adults should be no more than an hour and probably best kept to the 15- to 20-minute range. Anything beyond that – especially considering the time of day – could have consequences.
Are naps good for you teenage?
Researchers found that regular mid-day naps can help adolescents overcome lack of sleep. Summary: Researchers have found a positive relationship between midday-napping and nighttime sleep. They believe it might be key to boosting neurocognitive function in early adolescents.
Why do I wake up after 2 hours sleep?
Sleep apnea syndrome: One of the important causes of sleep awakening, sleep apnea is often caused by obesity or poor muscle tone. Sleep apnea causes the tongue to fall back over the throat in sleep leading to a pause in breathing for a few seconds. These episodes often result in night-time awakening.
What does it mean when you wake up but can't open your eyes?
Sleep paralysis happens when parts of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occur while you're awake. REM is a stage of sleep when the brain is very active and dreams often occur. The body is unable to move, apart from the eyes and muscles used in breathing, possibly to stop you acting out your dreams and hurting yourself.
What is it called when you can't get out of bed?
If you have a really hard time, you could have something called dysania. This means you simply can't get out of bed for about 1 to 2 hours after you wake up. Doctors don't recognize it as a medical condition, as it is not an official diagnosis.
How can I sleep 8 hours in 3 hours?
So if you're going to only get 4 hours of sleep in one night, make sure you don't make it a habit.
- Practice Relaxing Activities. ...
- Step Away From Electronic Screens. ...
- Get Comfy In A Dark And Quiet Environment. ...
- Avoid Liquids Before Sleep. ...
- Practice Mindfulness.
Should I pull an all nighter?
All-nighters have extensive and potentially serious negative effects. Sleep is vital to the proper functioning of the body, and completely skipping a night of sleep can harm your thinking and cognition, your mood and emotions, and your physical well-being.
How can I sleep 8 hours in 8 minutes?
Fake 8 Hours Of Sleep In 8 Minutes
- Raid Your Cutlery Drawer. ...
- Reach For the Cold Water. ...
- Give Yourself A One-Minute Massage. ...
- Brighten Up. ...
- Mix Up Your Makeup. ...
- Get Good Lines Around Your Eyes. ...
- Click HERE to read the rest of these genius beauty tricks from Refinery29!
- More from Refinery29:
What time is an all-nighter?
What is an All-Nighter? Pulling an all-nighter means engaging in an activity during sleep time that makes you catch little or no sleep for up to 24 hours. So if you're usually asleep from 10 pm to 6 am, you'll remain awake during an all-nighter throughout this time frame.