Can you sleep after a concussion?
Reviewed November 2026 by Online Concussion Clinic, a Perth-based telehealth concussion physiotherapy service. How this site is run
Short answer
Yes. Sleep is safe after a concussion and is part of recovery, so you don't need to keep someone awake. Have a responsible adult stay with them for the first few hours. If they become drowsy and hard to wake, or any other warning sign appears, call 000.
Why the old “keep them awake” advice has changed
Keeping someone awake used to be common advice, but it isn't recommended any more. Current concussion guidelines say sleep is fine, and good sleep helps the brain recover. What matters is that a responsible adult is around in the first hours after the injury and knows the warning signs.
When to wake them, or call 000
- If they seem unusually drowsy, or you can't wake them normally
- If they've had any of the warning signs below before falling asleep
- If a doctor has asked you to check on them overnight — follow their instructions
Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is:
- Loss of consciousness, or getting drowsier or harder to wake
- A seizure or convulsion
- Severe or worsening headache
- Repeated vomiting
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Double vision or loss of vision
- Weakness, tingling or burning in the arms or legs
- Increasing confusion, agitation, restlessness or unusual behaviour
- A visible deformity of the skull
For children, the emergency department at Perth Children's Hospital (Nedlands) is open 24 hours. If you're unsure, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours) for nurse advice.
Sleep in the weeks after a concussion
Sleeping more than usual for the first few days is normal. Some people later find it hard to get to sleep or stay asleep. These help:
- Keep regular sleep and wake times, including weekends
- Cut back on screens in the hour before bed
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine later in the day
- Keep daytime naps short, so they don't stop you sleeping at night
- Avoid sleeping tablets unless a doctor has prescribed them
If sleep problems last more than a couple of weeks, mention it to your GP or concussion physiotherapist — poor sleep can keep other symptoms going.
Find concussion care in Perth
Browse verified concussion providers across Perth — physiotherapists, GPs and neuropsychologists — and use the map to find one close to home. You don't need a referral to see a physiotherapist privately.
Where this information comes from
- Patricios JS, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport – Amsterdam, October 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023;57:695–711. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2023-106898
- Concussion Recognition Tool 6 (CRT6), from the same conference.
- Australian Institute of Sport. Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement 2024, and the Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport. ausport.gov.au/concussion
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Your own health professional's advice comes first, and your sport or school may have its own concussion rules.