If you have ever felt foggy after a poor night’s rest, it won’t surprise you that it significantly impacts brain function. Researchers also believe sleep may promote the removal of waste products from brain cells, which allows the brain to function normally the next day when you wake.
It is vital to the entire body as well. When people don’t get enough, their health risks rise. Symptoms of depression, seizures, high blood pressure and migraines worsen. Immunity is compromised, increasing the likelihood of illness and infection.
A minimum of 7 hours daily seems necessary for proper cognitive and behavioural function. It is an important cycle of resting and restoring energy. Adequate sleep improves memory recall, regulates metabolism, and reduces mental fatigue. Even one night of missed rest can create a prediabetic state in an otherwise healthy person.
The sleep controls
Circadian rhythms are controlled by a biological clock located in the brain. One key function of this clock is responding to light cues. It ramps up the production of the hormone melatonin at night and switches off when it senses light.
Did you know that people with total blindness often have trouble sleeping because they cannot detect and respond to these light cues?
Your desire for rest builds throughout the day, and when it reaches a certain point, you need to sleep.
A significant difference between wanting rest and hunger:
- Your body can’t force you to eat when you’re hungry, but when you’re tired, it can put you to sleep, even if you’re in a meeting or behind the wheel of a car.
- When you’re exhausted, your body can engage in microsleep episodes of one or two seconds while your eyes are open. This can lead to road accidents.
Factors that impact sleep
· People over age 60 may not sleep as deeply as younger people. Sleep apnea is also more common among older people.
· People who drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, or drink alcohol are more likely to have sleep problems than people who do not.
· Some medications can cause sleeplessness. Others can cause daytime fatigue.
· Insomnia is a common symptom of depression and anxiety.
· Some people find it difficult at night because they become breathless when lying down. This can be a symptom of heart failure or lung problems.
How can we help?
We can assist with any cause of lack of sleep, including but not limited to all of the following:
· Circadian Rhythm Disorders
· Insomnia
· Sleep Apnoea
· Pregnancy and Sleep
· Narcolepsy
· Restless Legs Syndrome
· Nightmares and Night Terrors
Some tips to help you get a full night’s rest
· Try having a small carbohydrate snack before you go to bed. Having cookies or warm milk with no sugar encourages the release of serotonin, which encourages slow-wave deep sleep.
· Take a hot bath. This helps because to go into sleep, your body needs to cool. After a bath, the cooling will encourage it. Likewise, ensure your bedroom is comfortably cool.
· Make your bedroom dark. Darkness encourages a brain chemical called melatonin, which promotes sleep. If you get up at night, don’t switch bright lights on, as they will encourage your brain to respond as if the sun was coming up.
· Tablets, smartphones, and laptops can keep your brain wired, making it hard to truly wind down. The light from these electronic devices can also suppress your natural melatonin production. As much as possible, try to disconnect for an hour or more before going to bed.
· A final and vital point is don’t sleep during the day. Sleep is a beautiful beast that needs to be tamed. It needs to be exclusive to nighttime. Doing it during the day will drive out night-time sleep!
Conclusion
Sleeping not only relieves stress and depression but also prolongs alertness and memory recall. Based on this, one can see that if an individual continually has insufficient sleep, the impact could be harmful both short—and long-term.
Ready to improve your sleep? Contact us today to learn how we can help you get the restful nights you deserve and start feeling your best every day!
