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Non-Restorative Sleep

Meaning

Non-Restorative Sleep is a clinical descriptor for a subjective feeling that sleep has been inadequate, unrefreshing, or insufficient, regardless of the total time spent asleep, leaving the individual feeling tired and functionally impaired upon waking. This condition is a key symptom of many sleep disorders, but it is also a significant indicator of underlying hormonal dysregulation, chronic stress, or metabolic imbalance. The inability to achieve truly restorative sleep profoundly affects endocrine function, including the diurnal release patterns of cortisol, growth hormone, and reproductive hormones.