This morning my Fitbit sleep app registered a score of 81, which is considered “good.” I use Fitbit to keep track of steps each day. Having the sleep information is bonus (maybe). I am not sure how much I trust it, but I look at the scores frequently and have learned about sleep patterns.
Most of my life I have been a good sleeper. I fall asleep easily and only occasionally, when something is giving me stress, do I wake for longer than for a bathroom break. I suspect that decades of regular exercise are helpful. I also lessen my caffeine intake later in the day, although coffee used to never bother my ability to nap or sleep.
According to the app, I am consistent in having 90-minute sleep cycles. Two sleep cycles exist. One cycle refers to light and deep sleep indicating less brain activity. Deep sleep commonly occurs longer early in the night, and my profile suggests that case for me. A second cycle, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) is associated with vivid dreams and becomes longer as the night goes on.
I am one of those people who can never remember my dreams. Sometimes I wake up after a dream and think to myself that I will remember it. By morning, the thoughts are gone. Once in awhile I have nightmares that relate to trying to get somewhere and being horribly late.
I often wake up feeling groggy but quickly recover. I understand that waking up feeling refreshed in the morning is a sign of solid periods of deep sleep. Deep sleep is associated with promoting physical recovery as well as a healthy immune system. My deep sleep varies in length, so I am doing OK.
I do not enjoy sleeping and would be happy never to have to sleep again. When I was a child, my parents had to force me to go to bed unless I was totally exhausted from a long day of play. My dad told me I would be a better basketball player if I got enough sleep. That advice motivated me to go to bed if I could sleep with my basketball.
I aim for eight hours of sleep a night. Given that I am frequently awake on and off for 20-45 minutes each night (according to my Fitbit), I rarely get 8 hours. I have learned from my kitties over the years that a short cat nap in the afternoon helps refresh me for the rest of the day. Therefore, overall sleep totals 8 hours a day. I am grateful for the goodness of sleep.