Deep Sleep

[Mummywithtwocats]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but it's something that has been on my mind for a while.

According to my watch (I'm on my second watch and it's a different brand, both say the same thing) I never get much "deep sleep". I always get about 3 / 4 %. I have to admit I am always tired and do seem to be very forgetful with silly little things. So I guess my question is does anyone else have this and how can I improve my deep sleep? I would love to wake up one morning and actually feel like I've had a good night's sleep!

Thanks 😊

My Fitbit usually tells me I have about 8-10% per night and I often feel tired. Occasionally I sleep really well and get more and definitely feel better for it.
My Fitbit says 'normal' is about 12-23% deep sleep but I rarely hit more that 12%
I wish I could sleep better too - I usually get over 7 hours but it's always broken/light/poorer quality

It's so random too as even if I get an early night I never get enough deep sleep 🤷‍♀️.

I do believe my watch to some extent as two have now said the same thing. A good night sleep would be amazing!

I once read that women who have children often stop being able to enter deep sleep as they are wired to hear their baby/child.

Do you snore? It is possible that you have sleep apnoea.

I don't snore (at least I don't think I do)...

@mamma2016 that does make sense actually as any little noise DD makes I'm wide awake. I can never switch off!

I find listening to the hypnobirthing track I used with DS helps me into a deep sleep

Third time lucky so please read this post and ignore previous two as containing typos!

This is a very interesting and important medical topic about sleep, different types REM and non REM cycles etc and possibly connected to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and narcolepsy let alone disturbing heavy snoring and low oxygen saturation levels.

CAVEAT I am not a professional in this field however I had to do the research for a family member and so do have direct experience to share. Make sure you seek expert specialist medical advice!

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is something I highly recommend you research into yourself initially and ask your partner to video record your sleep if necessary as well as combining with smart watch data.

You will know if this is a possibility if you snore and are over weight/obese and particularly if you have a large wide neck with excess fat and lose tissue etc.

I am not a medic so you will need to initially consult your GP doctor and then insist on a referral to a specialist respiratory sleep clinic. You can possibly get on the NHS wait list but alternatively private health insurance as always can assist in expedite diagnosis and care. I gathered in regular obese nations like USA even children sleep with a CPAP machine which like a reserve vacuum cleaner pumps air into a mask you wear over your mouth or nose while you sleep. Not for the anti Covid masks but obese brigade!

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA):

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstructivesleepp_apnea

Narcolepsy Symptoms:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/narcolepsy/symptoms/

What Are REM and Non-REM Sleep?:

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-101

Thanks, that is really interesting and helpful. I will have a good read!

According to my Garmin, I never have more than 45 min of deep sleep - its all light and REM. Weirdly, DH - who has severe OSA and uses a CPAP has no REM sleep, just light and deep