When struggling with insomnia, it’s easy to fixate on the numbers. How many hours did I sleep last night? Was it enough? Even GPs often focus on sleep duration, asking how many hours a patient is getting and whether it can be increased. But the truth is, sleep isn’t just about quantity – it’s about quality.
If you’re tossing and turning all night, waking up exhausted, or unsure if you were even asleep at all, the issue isn’t just about getting more sleep – it’s about getting better sleep. Poor-quality sleep, even if it lasts for several hours, isn’t restorative. And until the sleep you are getting improves, simply increasing the number of hours won’t make a difference.
This is why sleep retraining focuses first on improving sleep quality. By resetting your sleep patterns and addressing what’s disrupting your nights, you can build a foundation for longer, deeper, and more refreshing sleep.
So instead of chasing hours, start by fixing the sleep you already have. Once your sleep quality improves, the quantity will follow naturally. And the best part? Truly good sleep leaves you feeling rested – regardless of how many hours the clock says you got.
I do not sleep very well, experiencing between 4-6 hours per night.
I would like to improve both the quality and the quantity of my sleep
Thanks
Hi Jonathan. Thanks for commenting and sharing, it’s clear you’re ready for change, and that’s a really important first step. Sleep can feel a bit elusive and erratic sometimes, but there absolutely are solutions that work to improve your sleep in these areas and regulate it. We’re here with an evidence-based approach if you’re ever interested in exploring it!
How do you improve the quality of your sleep
Great question Linda! Sleep quality hinges on two key biological systems: sleep drive (which builds the longer you’re awake) and your circadian rhythm (your internal clock that sets the timing of sleep). When these are out of sync, sleep can become dysregulated. The good news is that with the right approach, they can be rebalanced – and we’re here if you ever want support with that.