Did You Really Sleep Well? Answer These 4 Questions from the National Sleep Foundation

Ever wonder if you truly slept well? A smartwatch can track metrics, but the National Sleep Foundation offers a simple self-assessment: ask yourself these 4 evidence-based questions.

Quality sleep goes beyond spending 7-9 hours in bed. According to NSF guidelines, evaluate your night with these criteria:

1. Did you sleep 85 percent of the time you were in bed?
2. Did you fall asleep within 30 minutes? (Up to an hour if you're over 65.)
3. Did you wake up less than once?
4. Did you stay awake for less than 20 minutes after waking during the night?

Read also: 'Your sleeping position has such a big influence on your sleep'

How Many 'Yes' Answers Do You Have?

If you answered 'yes' to all four, congratulations—you had a restorative night's sleep. Daytime energy is another key indicator: regular fatigue suggests your sleep may need improvement.