Most individuals looking to improve their health focus on their diet and exercise. They pay attention to them and follow all the rules to the letter. Surprisingly, they neglect sleep and go without it sometimes. And it's not just these people.
With the fast-paced world and pressing commitments, many people don't get as much sleep as they should- you could be one of them. Granted, you're working round the clock to get things done, but your body needs adequate rest at the end of the day.
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What Exactly is Sleep?
Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and frame, characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, inhibition of voluntary muscles, and reduced metabolic rate. It's in contrast to wakefulness, which is a state of being conscious and aware. There are two main types of sleep- REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM (NREM). NREM sleep consists of three stages that progress in depth- stages 1, 2, and 3. REM sleep is the more active stage of sleep, during which dreaming occurs.
How Much Sleep Should You Have?
The amount of sleep you require boils down to how old you are. Here are the general guidelines:
Newborns (0-3 months old): 14-17 hours each day
Babies (4-11 months old): 12-15 hours per day
Toddlers (1-2 years old): 11-14 hours each day
Preschoolers (3-5 years old): 10-13 hours per day
School-age children (6-13 years old): 9-11 hours per day
Teens (14-17 years old): 8-10 hours per day
Adults (18 and older): 7-9 hours per day
Benefits of Getting Enough Sleep
Dozing seems like a pointless task on the surface. However, there are so many reasons why you should receive a sufficient amount according to your age. Some of its main advantages are:
- It helps you stay alert.
- It helps you stay or get fit- as per research, less sleep can lead to obesity or overweight.
- It leads to better heart health- your body releases hormones while you're sleeping. Some of these hormones keep your blood vessels and heart-healthy. Lack of these hormones might result in heart disease, high blood pressure, and worse heart function.
- It helps fix your body- you're exposed to all sorts of harmful things during the day: Ultra-violet rays, stress, you name it. Luckily, your cells manufacture unique proteins as you sleep. They form the cells' building blocks. That permits cells to repair the day's injuries.
- It strengthens your memory.
Tips on Getting Better Sleep
The following are some straightforward pointers to help you get more improved sleep all through the night:
1. Make a Bedtime Routine and Stick to It.
This can help your body to relax and wind down. Include activities like reading, taking a bath, or listening to calming music in your routine. Don't participate in stressful or stimulating tasks like working or playing a puzzle game. Also, avoid doing any psychologically and physically stressful activities as they can cause your body to manufacture the stress hormone cortisol, which promotes alertness.
2. Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Nicotine Before Bed
Alcohol may cause you to sleep, but it'll be a stimulant later in the night, causing you to wake up consistently and get restless. Limit your alcohol intake to one or two drinks each day, and don't drink them within three hours before you retire to bed. Additionally, avoid caffeine for four to six hours before sleeping at night.
3. Try Sleeping and Waking at Consistent Times
Your body has a circadian rhythm that works on a set loop, aligning with sunset and sunrise. As per a study, irregular sleep patterns can change your melatonin levels and circadian rhythm. Melatonin signals your body to doze.
4. Change Your Bedroom Into a Sleep-Inviting Environment
Try keeping your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark at night. Darkness encourages melatonin production. Keep temperatures between sixty and seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit, use blinds or thick curtains for your window to promote less light, and block any outside noise with a 'white noise' device or earplugs.
5. Nap Early or Don't Nap at All
Napping in the afternoon causes a loss of motivation to sleep at night. Consider taking a nap before five in the afternoon. You can set the alarm if you think you can exceed the five-pm mark.
6. Exercise Regularly
Working out for about thirty minutes every day can significantly improve your sleep quality. However, avoid strenuous exercises near bedtime as it'll keep you feeling energized when you need to be winding down.
7. Regulate Your Water Intake
You might have to wake up in the night to use the restroom if you drink water close to your bedtime. Avoid drinking water for at least an hour before sleep. You can, however, keep a glass or bottle of water on your nightstand to avoid waking up feeling parched in the course of the night.
Conclusion
Getting good sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. The simple tips will help you get started on a better slumber. Remember not to get frustrated when things don't work out immediately. Be consistent.