What is Quality Sleep?

Sleep quality is a measure of how well a person sleeps. It includes factors such as the amount of time spent in bed, the number of awakenings, the amount of actual sleep achieved, and the degree to which the sleep is restorative. Poor sleep quality can have a major effect your overall health and wellbeing.

Why is sleep quality important

Sleep quality is important because it directly affects our physical and mental health. Poor sleep quality can lead to fatigue, impaired concentration, poor cognitive performance, and an increased risk of developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In addition, poor sleep quality has been linked to many serious health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

How to improve sleep quality

There are many steps one can take to improve their sleep quality. These can include:

• Establishing a consistent sleep schedule

• Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine

• Minimizing exposure to bright lights late at night

• Practicing relaxation techniques such as mindfulness and deep breathing

• Exercising regularly

• Avoiding late-night meals

• Creating a comfortable sleep environment  

Sleep quality is an important factor in overall health and wellbeing. By making small changes to our lifestyle and habits, we can make a big difference in the quality of our sleep. Doing so can help us feel more rested and energized, and it can help us avoid several physical and mental health issues.

—4-Quality Sleep Inc.

Sources:

Nelson KL, Davis JE, Corbett CF. Sleep quality: An evolutionary concept analysis. Nurs Forum. 2022 Jan;57(1):144-151. doi: 10.1111/nuf.12659. Epub 2021 Oct 5. PMID: 34610163. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34610163/

Kline, C. (2013). Sleep Quality. In: Gellman, M.D., Turner, J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_849