Specialists say one common sleep behaviour that many people assume is healthy may actually be an “ominous sign”.
For anyone who lies awake for ages, the idea of dropping off the moment your head hits the pillow sounds like the dream scenario.
It’s often taken as proof you’re a “good sleeper” if you fall asleep quickly. However, some experts argue that nodding off almost immediately isn’t always a positive indicator of sleep health.
In fact, some sleep coaches have gone as far as describing falling asleep within seconds as an “ominous sign”.
Explaining why, Omar El-Gohary, pharmacist at IQ Doctor, told Metro: “Although it may seem ideal, consistently drifting off within just a few minutes can be a sign that your body is carrying a significant sleep debt and is struggling to stay awake.”
According to the sleep expert, most healthy adults “typically take somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes to fall asleep”.
He also told Metro: “If you’re regularly falling asleep almost instantly, it may suggest you’re not getting enough quality sleep, even if you’re spending enough hours in bed,”
El-Gohary added that in certain situations, drifting off unusually fast can be linked to underlying sleep problems, including obstructive sleep apnoea — a condition believed to affect around 30 million people in the US.
Sleep apnoea causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during the night, and can come with symptoms such as loud snoring as well as choking or chortling sounds.
“The more narrowed your airway, the more forceful the airflow becomes. This increases tissue vibration, which causes your snoring to grow louder,” the Mayo Clinic explains.
El-Gohary also noted that falling asleep immediately can point to ongoing sleep loss.
“Falling asleep straight away can be a sign that your body is running on empty rather than operating optimally,” the expert added.
That said, he suggested there’s usually no reason for alarm if you pass out quickly after an especially demanding day. The concern is when it happens consistently, in which case it may be worth speaking to a doctor.
“Sleep should leave you feeling refreshed, alert and energised the next day, not constantly trying to catch up,” the pharmacist added.
Martin Seeley, Senior Sleep Expert at MattressNextDay, also advised paying attention to how you feel after sleep and any signs noticed by a partner: “If you wake up feeling exhausted despite a full night in bed, or your partner notices you snore loudly and stop breathing during the night, seek professional advice.”