Sleep plays an important role in your general health. Understanding why sleep is important will help motivate you to make the changes you need in order to reach this goal.
Benefit of Good Sleep
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults ages 18 to 60 get seven or more hours of sleep each night. For most, reaching this magic number is easier said than done.
In addition to eating right and exercising, sleep is a crucial component to a healthy lifestyle. Sleeps helps cleanse the body of inflammation, improves memory, increases creativity, makes it easier for you to focus, makes you a happier person and even helps you control your weight.
Downside of Poor Sleep
If you miss out on getting enough sleep, you cannot simply make up for it by sleeping extra the next night. Research has confirmed that lack of sleep can cause irreversible damage.
Your body repairs itself while you sleep. If you are not getting enough sleep, you may notice that colds and other illnesses take longer to resolve than usual. Your blood vessels are not healing overnight, which puts you at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Insulin is released by your body when you don’t get enough sleep, putting you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You’ll begin to eat more, and your ability to make decisions may become impaired. Oftentimes those who don’t get enough sleep will be in a worse mood and they may even lose interest in people, relationships and activates they once enjoyed.
Improve Your Sleep
Before you can improve your sleep habits, you will need to figure why you can’t or don’t sleep. Common causes of poor sleep include:
- Stress
- Medications
- Distractions
- Sleep disorders
- Exercise
- Hunger
- Stimulants
- Interruptions
- Discomfort
Reduce Your Stress
While you cannot eliminate all stress, you can work to manage your accumulated stress from the day. Try stretching to release tension or a massage pillow to knead out your knots. Meditating before bed can help clear your mind.
Create a Restful Environment
Transforming your bedroom into an oasis can help improve your sleep. A sound machine can block out unwanted noises while you’re sleeping, and blackout curtains can prevent light from bothering you.
Make sure your mattress is comfortable and you have enough blankets to be at a comfortable temperature.
Seek Medical Help
Your sleep problems may be related to a sleep disorder. If you have made changes to your routine and are still having trouble going and staying asleep, it is time to contact a professional. They will review your medical history and, if needed, order a sleep test.
To learn more about sleep disorders or how to get a good night’s rest, contact the experts at Texas ENT & Allergy.
