If you’re reading this article, it’s probably because it’s the middle of the night and you’re wondering whether it’s better to pull an all-nighter or sleep for 2 hours. The answer is… neither! We’ll explain how to get the best possible sleep when you have to choose between a sleepless night and a short sleep.
Insomnia!
It’s happened to all of us. It’s 4am, you look at your alarm clock and count how many more hours you can sleep. If only you didn’t have insomnia! Now you’re wondering whether you’ve had a caffeinated drink, like a soda or coffee. Well, you’ve got to find a solution! To help you sleep, there are a few simple tricks: drink a glass of milk, eat a kiwi or use homeopathy.
Sleep for 2 hours or pull an all-nighter?
It’s 5am, and even after drinking a glass of milk, eating a kiwi and reading our article on the 10 habits you can adopt to get a better night’s sleep, you still can’t sleep (understandably, the article is fascinating). So the fateful question arises: should I sleep for the remaining 2 hours or just pull an all-nighter?
Sleep is governed by different cycles, each lasting around 90 minutes. If you wake up after 2 hours’ sleep, you risk starting a new cycle and waking up will be very, very difficult. If you choose, it’s better to sleep 1.5 hours instead of 2 hours, which is always better than a sleepless night.
In the same vein, the ideal would be to add 90 minutes each time to optimise your sleep: 1h30, 3h, 4h30, etc… it’s the number of cycles that counts, not the hours of sleep.
Is it a good idea to take a nap after a sleepless night?
Yes, ideally you should have a nap lasting between 20 and 30 minutes. That way, you won’t go into a deep sleep and you’ll have had a bit of a rest.
Remember to set your alarm clock to full volume, otherwise you might not hear it. If you think you won’t be able to wake up, it may be better not to sleep at all.
The effects of a sleepless night on the body
A sleepless night is hard on your body. When you sleep, lots of things happen: your tissues repair themselves, your memories are anchored in your brain, your hormones are restored, and so on. After a sleepless night (or after just 2 hours’ sleep), a number of symptoms can appear:
- Irritability
- Sleepiness
- Amplification of negative emotions
- The impression of ‘floating’ or being in another reality
What’s more, your circadian rhythm will be disrupted. If you go nights without sleep regularly, you’ll be more prone to certain illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, anxiety and depression. Find out all our tips for improving the quality of your sleep!
💡What is the circadian rhythm?
The circadian rhythm is your internal clock. It lasts around 24 hours and governs your physiological needs, such as hunger and sleep. It is influenced by various factors, including daylight. When the circadian rhythm is disrupted (for example, if you have a sleepless night), this has repercussions throughout the day and even on the following days. You will then need one or more good nights to fully recover your rhythm.
