Sleep fragmentation is one of the recognized determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness 1. It is characterized by repetitive short interruptions of sleep. These interruptions can be variously defined using electroencephalography (EEG) 2 autonomic 3 or behavioural markers.
Is fragmented sleep healthy?
A study published last year in the journal Sleep Medicine found that even one night of fragmented sleep negatively impacts mood, attention span and cognitive ability to the same degree as restricting sleep to four hours in a night.
How do you avoid fragmented sleep?
How Can You Prevent or Address Interrupted Sleep?
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, including on weekends.
- Following a steady routine before bed, including plenty of time to wind down and relax.
- Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and big meals in the evening, especially in the hours before bed.
