Falling asleep too quickly or slowly is bad for you, reveals sleep experts

Getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important, as it helps your body and mind rest, recover and prepare for the next day. But the right sleep quality and quantity all starts with falling asleep, which some people find easy whereas others find hard.

On some nights, you might jump onto your best mattress and you’re asleep in seconds, whereas other nights, you’re left staring at the ceiling and desperately rifling through the latest TikTok sleep hacks to drift off. Surprisingly, neither of these ways to fall asleep are good for you, as it turns out falling asleep too quickly or too slowly can be a “symptom of a larger problem”, according to sleep experts at The HuffPost.

The duration it takes for each individual to fall asleep is completely unique, but if you’re falling asleep in seconds or taking up to an hour, this can lead to bigger problems. So, how long should it really take you to fall asleep?

How long should it take you to fall asleep?

The quick answer to this question is it should take you between 15 - 20 minutes to fall asleep. While it varies from person to person, this duration gives your mind and body enough time to wind down from the day and prepare to sleep through the night. However, 15 - 20 minutes is the average amount of time it should take a healthy person to fall asleep, but for those who have certain health conditions or sleep problems, it could take longer.

With this timing in mind, it’s important to look at why you might be falling asleep too fast or too slow. For the former, the answer is quite simple: you’re sleep deprived. Falling asleep too quickly is a sign that you’re not getting enough sleep and that you’re exhausted or feeling burnt out.

There are many more reasons why you might be taking longer than 20 minutes to fall asleep. For example, you might have a bad nighttime routine that isn’t working for you or you’ve had caffeine, alcohol or other stimulants too late in the day. Other reasons may include that you’re feeling stressed or you experience insomnia.

5 ways to fall asleep effectively

To help you wind down properly and fall asleep effectively, you need to stick to the rules of good sleep hygiene. Sticking to a consistent bedtime routine can help your mind and body recognise that it’s time to go to sleep and will encourage the natural process of feeling tired and relaxed.

Stimulants can keep you awake for longer, so avoid electronics and caffeine too close to bedtime. The blue light emitted from phones, laptops and TVs can signal to your brain that it’s time to be awake, which will make you feel alert rather than sleepy.

Exercising regularly has a positive effect on your sleep, as it encourages your body to recover, and it can help relieve any stress or negative emotions which might keep you awake longer. Once you enter your bedroom, it’s important to create a cosy sleep environment, with comfortable pillows and blankets, mood-setting music and calming scents.

Finally, and most importantly, if you’re taking too long to fall asleep, get out of bed. Doctors suggest that getting out of bed and moving to a different part of the house until you feel sleepy again can break the association between your bed and feelings of restlessness. Once you feel tired, head back to your bedroom.