What’s The Average Time To Fall Asleep? Learn More Now for 2019

We all know how much sleep we all need a day, depending on our age and health. But have you ever wondered how long it actually takes you to fall asleep? Some people take mere seconds until they start dozing off, while some take hours topping and turning! It must have a lot of people wondering about the average time to fall asleep. Well, not only is there an average time, but there are also reasons why it can take you so long (or quick) to get to dreamland!

If you're wondering about the time it takes to sleep and what it means, then read on.

Before I talk about the average time to fall asleep, let's understand the way people become sleepy.

That sleepy feeling comes from the accumulation of adenosine, which is a chemical in the brain. Through using energy and metabolism while you're awake, adenosine increases. As it increases, so does our sleepiness while we stay awake. Adenosine is cleared from your system through sleep and is at its lowest when you wake up.

On average, it takes about 10 to 20 minutes to fall asleep when you get to bed. But when it takes a longer or shorter time, then that means your body is telling you something.

Sleep onset insomnia usually happens if you have difficulty relaxing or lessening your thoughts before sleeping. This also happens when you aren't ready to sleep with too much caffeine, or if your sleeping schedule is out of order from work or jet lag.

Do you find no trouble in sleeping and start dozing off once you get in bed? Then this may mean that you aren't getting enough sleep! There are many reasons why one doesn't get enough sleep, may it be a hectic work schedule, finishing off a dealing, or underlying sleeping disorders that need to be checked by a physician.

If you begin sleeping in less than five minutes, then it may be excessive sleepiness, which comes from sleep apnea (lack of quality sleep) or sleep deprivation.

The solution here? It's time to get more sleep! A person usually needs eight hours of sleep a day on average, so it's best to begin fixing your sleeping schedule and sticking to it. That way, you'll be able to sleep in 20 minutes and not worry about the symptoms that come from sleep deprivation, which includes lack of focus. 

We now know how you can fall asleep at the right time if you doze off in seconds, what about for those who take too long? Besides fixing your sleeping schedule as well, there are ways on how you can stop tossing and turning.

A reason why many of us can't sleep as fast as we should is that of stress. One may try yoga for sleeping, but for those who are too tired and need some shuteye ASAP, you can try this breathing exercise to relax:

1. Have the tip of your tongue touching behind your upper front teeth, keeping it there as you breathe.
2. Exhale through your mouth and make a whooshing sound.
3. Now close your mouth and inhale through the nose quietly, counting to four in your head.
4. Hold your breath for seven counts.
5. ​Exhale through the mouth and make a whooshing sound for eight counts.​​​​​
6. Repeat this three more times.

For more explanation, plus a video tutorial, check out this video:

No more electronics in bed, as they can trigger stress! Switch off the television and place your laptops and phones elsewhere an hour before sleeping. Hiding your clocks can also release psychological pressure!