How much sleep do you get on average each night? Adults are generally supposed to be getting at least seven hours. As it turns out, it’s not just how much sleep you’re getting that matters, though. The quality of your sleep matters too, perhaps even more. But how can you tell if you’re getting good quality sleep or not?
Changes in Mood
According to News Nation, there are many different factors that can impact your mood. Getting poor sleep is just one of them. But not getting good sleep can lead to increased irritability and stress, something no one ever really needs more of. It can also result in increased frustration and a shorter fuse. Negative emotional outbursts are therefore more likely to occur when you aren’t getting good quality sleep. This can have a pretty significant impact on your relationships, further tipping the scales against your day-to-day functioning.
Grinding Your Teeth
Do you find yourself grinding your teeth? Or maybe you’ve had feedback from a roommate or partner who has heard you grinding them in your sleep or even been woken up by it. If you’re grinding your teeth, it may be a sign that you aren’t getting the quality sleep you need. There is a link between grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism, and sleep apnea, which could have a serious impact on the quality of your sleep. That’s not the only concern though. According to Stellar Family Orthodontics, teeth grinding can lead to more sensitive teeth, chipped teeth, or even misalignment from pressure.
Changes in Your Appearance
There’s a reason why bags under the eyes are a classic sign of not getting good sleep. It’s not the only physical sign you might notice, though. Have you noted that your skin isn’t quite as clear as it usually is? An increase in breakouts could indicate that the sleep you’re getting isn’t good enough. Sleep has an impact on your hormone levels, which can influence breakouts. According to News Medical, it also impacts your immune system, which could leave you more vulnerable to looking and feeling sick all the time as well.
It might be a little tough to tell if the sleep you’re getting is good enough. It’s certainly more difficult to identify than how much sleep you’re getting. But keep an eye out for signs like these that you aren’t getting quality sleep. They can be a good indicator that something needs to change, so you feel better when you are awake!
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