Sleep expert reveals the reason you’re exhausted despite eight hours of sleep

Many people are well aware that eight hours is the ideal length when it comes to sleep every night, and while there are millions across the world who don't manage to get this on a regular basis, plenty of people still do but aren't reaping the rewards.

We've all been there in the morning when you wake up after what should be a rest-filled night of sleep, only to still feel exhausted when you open your eyes and wonder why your body hasn't fully recharged.

What you might be surprised to find out is that there's more at play when it comes to the quality of your sleep than just the length, and while that shouldn't deter you from getting the hours in, you might want to also think about some other behavioral changes.

Sleep experts over at TRT UK have revealed why it's surprisingly common to wake up still feeling tired after an eight-hour rest, suggesting that a 'full' night's sleep is more common than people expect.

Experts have revealed why you might still feel tired, even after getting eight hours of sleep (Getty Stock)

"Sleep happens in cycles, moving between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep," the experts explained. "Deep sleep is when physical restoration happens, while REM sleep is important for mood regulation, memory, and mental focus.

"If these stages are interrupted by alcohol, stress, late-night scrolling, blood sugar triggers, or even small breathing disturbances, you can technically sleep for seven or eight hours but still wake up feeling groggy."

Ultimately it's how you sleep more than the length of time that really plays a factor, and while some things like stress and breathing are harder to control, cutting out bad habits like excessive alcohol consumption, eating too close to bedtime, or spending too much time doomscrolling in bed can make a real difference.

Another key factor is the hormone cortisol, as this is generally understood to be the body's 'wake up' device.

"Cortisol is meant to rise slowly in the early morning to help you feel alert. If your stress levels are increased, your cortisol patterns can be dysregulated, leaving you feeling unrefreshed rather than awake," the experts illustrate.

Changing your habits can solve this issue, but many people fall into the trap of simply thinking they need more sleep (Getty Stock)

Sleeping more simply isn't a solution to this problem in most cases, and beyond the aforementioned changes to your daily habits, you can also reach for changes like spending more time outdoors in daylight, and creating a wind-down routine that calms the body and mind.

"If fatigue continues even with good sleeping patterns, it can be worth looking into underlying factors such as thyroid health, iron levels, or a wider hormone imbalance," TRT UK warns, asserting that "ongoing insufficient sleep isn't something you can just push through."