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Still adore your friend's “superpower” for being able to fall asleep in seconds? You might want to think twice now! Many people envy those who can fall asleep the moment their head hits the pillow. Being able to drift off within minutes is often seen as a sign of excellent sleep habits, where everyone envies the skill. However, sleep experts say that falling asleep too quickly may actually be a warning sign that your body is under significant strain. Also, have you ever thought of sleeping during weekends to compensate for your weekday sleep deprivation? Experts reveal that it would not work!
The issue recently came into the spotlight when popular Japanese television host Shinichi Hatori revealed on his program that he can usually fall asleep within five minutes of getting into bed. According to Yahoo News, rather than praising the habit, a doctor featured on the show immediately expressed concern, saying that such rapid sleep onset could indicate that the body is struggling to cope with accumulated fatigue.
Sleep specialist Osami Kajimoto explained that instantly falling asleep may be linked to exhaustion of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for keeping the body alert and awake. According to Kajimoto, when a person is extremely fatigued, the body may effectively “shut down” rather than gradually relax into sleep. In other words, it is less like peacefully drifting off and more like suddenly losing consciousness from exhaustion.
The program also highlighted several common signs of poor sleep quality and growing “sleep debt.” The more of these symptoms a person experiences, the greater the likelihood that they are not getting restorative sleep:
- Frequently falling asleep on trains or buses
- Falling asleep within five minutes of lying down
- Waking up more than twice during the night
- Still feeling tired four hours after waking up
- Sleeping more than two extra hours on weekends compared to weekdays
- Waking up feeling unrefreshed
- Struggling to wake up even with an alarm clock
- Feeling sleepy or unable to concentrate during the afternoon
Apart from rectifying the idea that falling asleep immediately is good, experts also challenged the common belief that people can simply make up for lost sleep by sleeping in on weekends. While many may assume that extra weekend sleep "compensates" for sleep deprivation during the week, specialists say the habit can actually disrupt the body's internal clock and make it harder to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
Nutrition consultant Matuzaki has previously noted that the transition from the sympathetic nervous system, which promotes alertness, to the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports relaxation, normally takes between five and 25 minutes. When someone falls asleep immediately, it may indicate excessive stress, blood sugar fluctuations, or adrenal fatigue rather than healthy sleep patterns.
People experiencing this type of exhaustion may also wake frequently during the night, have vivid dreams, grind their teeth, or wake up too early in the morning. As a result, they can become trapped in a cycle of falling asleep quickly but never achieving truly restorative rest.
According to experts, genuine healthy sleep is characterized by gradually falling asleep, staying asleep throughout the night, and waking up feeling refreshed. Anyone who recognizes several of these warning signs may benefit from reducing stress, improving sleep habits, and seeking professional advice if fatigue persists.
Reference: Yahoo News
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