Non-Restorative Sleep: Why Do I Feel Tired Even After Sleeping Enough?

Restorative sleep occurs when sleep quality is good enough that individuals wake up feeling rested and refreshed. This type of sleep typically occurs during the last two stages of sleep, deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Non-restorative sleep, on the other hand, occurs when the recommended amount of sleep for adults, 7 to 9 hours a night, is obtained, but grogginess and fatigue in the mornings still occur. Non-restorative sleep is often indicated by feeling tired after sleeping through the night, as well as feeling fatigued throughout the day, difficulty focusing and concentrating, and feeling emotionally vulnerable. Additional signs of non-restorative sleep may include being unable to get through the day without taking a nap and generally feeling unrefreshed upon waking.

Non-restorative sleep is distinct from other sleep conditions such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome but can happen alongside or be related to these sleep conditions.

Non-restorative sleep can result from lifestyle factors and underlying health conditions. Lifestyle-related risk factors for non-restorative sleep include shift work or working overnight, waking up regularly to care for a baby at night, and jet lag from frequent travel. Certain health conditions, such as depression and bipolar disorder, can also contribute to non-restorative sleep, as people with depression and bipolar disorder often report sleep disturbances, like those indicative of non-restorative sleep.

To combat non-restorative sleep, a variety of actions can be taken. Improving sleep hygiene and instilling some of the following habits can help contribute to a restful night of sleep: create a dark and quiet environment to sleep in, turn off electronics, limit caffeine consumption late in the day, create a consistent sleep and wake schedule, and practice mindfulness before bed. Exercise throughout the day can also lead to better sleep quality at night. Because non-restorative can sometimes be linked to life stressors or anxiety, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and speaking with a therapist are also recommended to improve sleep quality.

Once non-restorative sleep is identified, it is important that action is taken to mitigate how often it occurs. Getting restful sleep can improve health problems that may have arisen due to the presence of non-restorative sleep and prevent future health issues from occurring.

References:

Metrakos, S. (2023, January 11). Non-Restorative Sleep: Why Do I Feel Tired Even After Sleeping Enough? | HealthNews. Healthnews. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://healthnews.com/sleep/sleep-disorders/non-restorative-sleep-why-do-i-feel-tired-after-sleeping-enough/