Sleep is so great
It allows our bodies to rest and regain our strength for the next day.
That moment when you reach for your pillow and your blanket, you feel the absolute comfort of sleep.
Sleep is a vital part of our lives.
The lack of or too much sleep can be dangerous to our bodies. The lack of sleep also known as Insomnia can increase the progression of serious medical and psychological conditions.
Why is sleep so important?
According to the Verywell health website the following are benefits of sleeping (Stibich, 2023):
- Strengthens Your Heart
- Regulates Your Blood Sugar
- Reduces Your Stress Levels
- Decreases Inflammation
- Helps You Maintain a Healthy Weight
- Improves Your Balance
- Increases Your Energy and Alertness
- Improves Your Memory
- Boosts Your Executive Functioning
- Repairs Your Tissues
The human body never stops working
Especially at night it is working in overdrive.
While you are sleeping, the parasympathetic nervous system takes charge.
Meaning that this nervous system is in charge of digesting waste, maintaining heart rate, blood pressure, controlling your lungs and mucus production.
However, too much sleep (hypersomnia) can be extremely damaging to your body. It puts your body in a surge of chaos.
The body sleep cycle acts as the body’s work schedule.
The night shift is getting ready to pick up what the day shift left behind.
Your brain continues to work non stop to make sure your body is in homeostasis.
Think of your body as a computer
During certain times your computer requires an update.
Without this update your computer starts to become slower and not able to perform the most basic tasks.
When you start the update, you’re prompted to restart the computer.
Once restarted your computer starts working even better than before.
Sleep acts as an update for your body.
If you don’t “update” it you start to feel sluggish, hangry and easily frustrated.
Your whole metabolic system is in haywire because there was no shift change.
Your body will get confused on when to feel hungry, full, or even when to digest food.
Now what?
The AASM Sleep Education Website (AASM, 2021) notes the following tips on how to improve your quality of sleep:
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.
- Set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep.
- Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy.
- If you don’t fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed. Go do a quiet activity without a lot of light exposure. It is especially important to not get on electronics.
- Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
- Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.
- Limit exposure to bright light in the evenings.
- Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Don’t eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
- Avoid consuming caffeine in the afternoon or evening.
- Avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime.
- Reduce your fluid intake before bedtime.
Take time to organize your sleep space and incorporate things that increase your level of relaxation.
Limit your screen time so that you have time to just relax and take it easy.
Do not let sleep take control of your life either.
Hypersomnia (sleeping too much) can be very unhealthy for your mind and body.
If you are concerned about your sleeping schedule, talk to your doctor for any helpful tips.
References:
American Academy of Sleep Medicine . (2021, April 2). Healthy sleep habits. Sleep Education. https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/
Stibich, M. (2023, May 18). 10 top health benefits of sleep. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-health-benefits-of-a-good-nights-sleep-2223766
This post was written by Jasmine P., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
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