Lack of sleep: this simple test to do at home could alert you in 5 minutes

Sleep is extremely important for the proper functioning of the human body and general health. A restful and sufficiently long night allows the body to replenish its energy, ensure better cognitive and physical abilities, while improving general mood! However, many people are seriously lacking in sleep, particularly because of their lifestyle in today’s society. Moreover, in the documentary program “The Truth About…Sleep”, the British presenter Michael Mosley highlighted this deficiency among the British with a very simple test that you can easily reproduce at home. It allows you to gauge your level of fatigue to become aware of it.

A simple method to do at home

To perform the test you will need three objects: a stopwatch, a tray and a spoon. The principle is simple: place the tray on the floor at the edge of your bed, lie down and close your eyes with the intention of sleeping, while holding a spoon in your hand, above the tray. Start the stopwatch and let Morpheus’ arms welcome you. When you let go of the spoon, it will fall onto the tray and wake you up (if all goes well). At this point, stop the stopwatch: you get the time it takes you to fall asleep.

What does this duration reveal about your needs?

According to the researchers who share this experience, the rule is simple: if it takes you 15 minutes or more to fall asleep, then you are probably getting enough and adequate sleep. If it takes you 10 minutes, you may be suffering from mild sleep deprivation. However, if the spoon falls in less than 5 minutes, you are probably severely sleep deprived and your body is sending you a warning signal.

Becoming aware of sleep deprivation to better treat it

Falling asleep very quickly may be due to stress, undiagnosed sleep disorders, or poor sleep hygiene. In this case, as you will have understood, it is essential to become aware of it and treat this lack of sleep. To help you, here are some tips to sleep more and better:

• Turn off screens before bed to avoid hanging around on them late at night;
• Set a sleep schedule and go to bed and get up at the same time every day;
• Practice daily physical activity for better quality sleep;
• Create an environment conducive to sleep (relaxation, clean sheets and tidy room, no light or noise);
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, especially before going to bed;
• Eat light in the evening;
• Limit naps;
• Invest in quality bedding.

Slideshow: Sleep: How much sleep should we get depending on our age?