With 59% of Indians getting less than six hours of uninterrupted sleep, experts explain that the body tracks sleep debt by considering both duration and quality. Many focus on sleep hours, but experts recommend prioritising sleep quality too.
Dr Urvi Maheshwari, an internal medicine expert at a private hospital, says, “Poor sleep due to waking up frequently, tossing, and turning can lead to sleep debt, even if the total sleep duration seems sufficient. It’s essential to get uninterrupted, restful sleep at night.”
She adds, “The best approach is to gradually recover lost sleep by improving sleep habits, sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, and ensuring good sleep quality — rather than trying to sleep for 9 or more hours…
