Have you ever found yourself lying in bed feeling exhausted but unable to sleep or woke up feeling tired and exhausted? Sleep is one of the most underrated activities we have to do as humans and is sometimes taken for granted. Most people don’t even understand or know why sleep is so important. Well, in this article, we will change all of that by giving you some much-needed information.
Why Should We Sleep?
You would expect this question from a child, but surprisingly some adults still ask this question. But, what most of us don’t realize is that sleep is just as important as eating and breathing as it helps our bodies maintain and improve our health.
Sleep deprivation, sometimes known as insomnia, can increase your body’s insulin resistance and reduce physical and mental health. Lack of sleep also disrupts the appetite hormone, which can lead to excessive weight gain.
The Benefit of Sleep
Even though we’re not 100% sure why our bodies need sleep, there are some great benefits to getting enough of it. Below we’ve listed some of the main benefits of sleep:
- It helps our bodies conserve energy.
- It helps restore body cells, repairs muscles, assists tissue growth and helps release hormones and protein synthesis.
- Sleep improves brain function, including memory, problem-solving skills, concentration, and much more.
- It helps with emotional health by keeping our hormone levels balanced.
- Sleep helps with weight maintenance.
- It can also improve our body’s insulin functions.
- And it can help keep our hearts healthy.
5 Proven Habits to Sleep at Night
Some scientists and sleep specialists suggest that the right mattress can help improve your sleep quality, but here are a few habits you can change to improve your sleeping patterns and get a good night’s rest.
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Create a Nighttime Routine
No matter your occupation, your day is constantly busy, which tells your mind to stay busy. A nighttime routine can help slow down your mind and notifies it that it’s time to start shutting down. You can try some of these routines to help you:
- Go for a short walk.
- Take a relaxing bath.
- Meditate for 5-10 minutes or have 10 minutes of quiet time before bed.
- Try to keep to a schedule by sleeping and waking up at the same time every day. Consider the best time to take magnesium for better sleep quality and relaxation.
By doing this, you can help your body restore its circadian rhythm, which is the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
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Do Not Nap During the Day
Some people think that daytime naps are good for your sleep patterns, but it is not. A recent study done by the US National Library of Medicine shows that daytime naps also disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, so people who sleep during the day end up feeling more exhausted the next day
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Keep Your Room Dark and Cool
Surprisingly, sleeping in a clean, organized, dark, and excellent room helps you fall asleep faster. This environment also makes the body and mind feel more relaxed and at ease, making you feel happier.
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Switch OFF
Before bed, switch off all electronic devices. Unless it’s a white noise machine, it needs to be off, as the light from those devices can trick the brain into thinking that it’s still daytime.
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Avoid All Caffeinated Drinks
Doctors recommend that we avoid drinking caffeine at least 2 hours before we sleep. It would be best to avoid alcohol consumption before bed, as alcohol and caffeine disrupt the circadian rhythm and increase sleep apnea and snoring.
Our Takeaway
Many people suffer from sleeping disorders or wake up feeling tired. But, you can do something to change this for you by getting a better mattress and changing a few bad habits into good habits. A good night’s rest will leave your body feeling energetic and leave you feeling motivated to take on the next day.