How to Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Sleep
It is no secret that sleep is essential for maintaining our good health and wellbeing. Sleep is a vital time for the body, when it can see to repairing itself while our mind processes the day's events. However, modern lifestyles are often at odds with our bodies’ requirements for rest – and it can be challenging to ensure we are getting enough sleep.
Exactly how important is sleep to the body, and what can you do in order to all-but guarantee a good night's sleep?
The Importance of Sleep
In short, sleep is a critical function for both our physical and our mental health. Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress, a weakened immune system, and decreased cognitive function. It can also lead to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
The heightened stress levels from poor sleep have been recently discovered to be a result of increased HPA-axis activity, which causes a heightened volume of the stress hormone cortisol in the human body. Digestion is also impacted by poor sleep, which can lead to poor nutrient intake and a consequent worsening of gut health.
Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep
Firstly, and perhaps most simply of all, you can positively impact your quality of sleep through creating a restful environment in your bedroom. Do this by making sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool – and be sure to invest in comfortable bedding, too. If you find yourself regularly waking up in the night, consider investing in blackout curtains or earplugs.
Another essential tip for a good night's sleep is to stick to a sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. This can help regulate your body's circadian rhythm, improving the quality of your sleep.
Exercise is a vitally important factor in getting a good night's sleep. Physical activity can help moderate cortisol levels in your brain, while stimulating pleasure hormones and promoting relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep at night. However, try not to exercise too close to your bedtime; it can increase your body temperature, making it harder to fall asleep.
Lastly, blue light – emitted from electronic devices such as your smartphone or laptop screen – can disrupt your sleep by suppressing the production of melatonin. Try to avoid using these devices for at least an hour before bedtime, or consider using a blue-light filter on your devices to limit their impact.
When to Get Help
If you are struggling to get enough sleep, it may be time to speak to a professional. Online pharmacists can provide advice on over-the-counter sleep aids, while an appointment with your local GP can see you receive some targeted guidance if your issue is chronic or otherwise more complicated.
It is nothing short of essential for you to seek out help if you find yourself consistently struggling with sleep. Continued problems with sleep can have dramatic health consequences, especially if left for some time. If the above tips do not work, do not hesitate to seek a medical route to assistance.
My name is Wojtek and I am very happy that you came to my healthy lifestyle blog. In human life, health is probably the most important factor needed for happiness, so I thought I will make a contribution to this and try to promote healthy eating and sport.
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