Overcoming Your Sleeping Problems
Nothing quite beats the feeling of falling into bed after a long, hard day. Besides, the best way to recover from the day's stresses is for your mind, body, and spirit to rest. Hitting the hay gives you the chance to unwind and recharge to help you cope with what's in store for the next day.
But somehow, falling asleep is not always as easy as they make it out to be. Maybe you are still worrying about something that happened during your day. Perhaps there are distractions in and around your bedroom, or your bed is uncomfortable.
Whatever the situation, developing a consistent routine and creating the ideal sleeping environment will give you the rest you deserve and will lead to overall better health.
How poor sleeping habits can cause weight problems
Poor sleeping patterns have been linked to weight gain. Studies have shown that those with shorter sleep times are prone to weigh more than people who experience enough sleep.
One of the most substantial risk factors linked to obesity is short sleep duration.
In one review study, both adults and children who experience a short sleep duration were up to 89 percent more likely to develop obesity. Lack of exercise due to fatigue can make matters worse.
Part of the cause for this might be that poor sleeping patterns affect hormones that are in place to regulate your appetite. Therefore, individuals who get enough rest will eat fewer calories, while sleep-deprived people might be inclined to eat more.
So if you're trying to lose weight, or maintain a healthy weight, getting sufficient sleep is crucial.
Sleep is good for your brain
Sleep is considered a power source as it helps to keep your mind calm and alert. During every nap and good night's sleep, our brains are getting recharged.
Your brain power increases, and your attention span experiences a boost when you sleep.
The most important benefit one would experience is mental alertness and being physically relaxed. That is when you will be at your personal best.
Good sleep improves productivity and concentration
While poor sleep would impair the overall functioning of your brain, good sleep maximizes problem-solving and enhances one's memory.
Sleeping well is crucial to stimulating proper brain function. This would include cognitive abilities, productivity, concentration, and performance.
These functions of our brain are negatively affected when we suffer from sleep deprivation.
It's been found that interns who are on a work schedule that involves extended work hours are inclined to make up to 36 percent more serious errors as opposed to an intern who works on a schedule that allows sufficient sleeping.
Other studies have revealed that short sleeping patterns have an impact on our brain function that's similar to the effects of alcohol intoxication.
How having the right sleeping environment optimizes mental alertness
When we experience healthy sleeping, it lets us function optimally once we are awake. We can all relate to different degrees of being awake, from being tired and grumpy to being hyper-alert. The latter is when we are most receptive and can interact positively with our environment.
Unfortunately, not everyone agrees on what constitutes the perfect sleeping environment.Follow along as we take a look at some known influences that will impact our sleeping experience.
Noise Pollution: Usually, it is much easier for most to sleep in a peaceful area. Whether it is a case of having to survive in the wilderness or any other reason, we respond according to a variety of external stimuli while sleeping. A quiet room is key to falling asleep, and staying asleep. A sound machine set to white noise can help drown out sounds if your bedroom window overlooks a noisy street, or there are other sound distractions.
Temperature: Most of us favor sleeping in a reasonably cool environment. Some would bury themselves right into thick blankets or duvets as long as they experience the ideal temperature, while others prefer a light sheet or no blankets at all. This is a personal preference, but we can all agree that waking up shivering or drenched in sweat is not pleasant!
Lighting: The right amount of light can make a real difference as to how well we sleep. Most sleep experts suggest a dark room is the best environment. Our body functions best when we can observe a natural circadian rhythm, which is why it's wise to keep your window shades open to natural light as the sun sets. If you get up at night to get a sip of water or to use the restroom, a very dim nightlight can be useful.
Bedding and Mattresses:While there are various options for how folks choose to sleep, one thing we cannot get away from is selecting a mattress that is the right size and firmness to accommodate our needs.
Many of us prefer piles of blankets or even a thick comforter. Irrespective of the options we are faced with, the key thing to remember is that we need to be comfortable and enjoy healthy sleep patterns while we are at it.
It is a smart move on your part to consider the variables when it comes to the ideal sleeping environment. Ultimately, you will rest better and wake up feeling refreshed.
Resources— Advent Health, Healthline, Verywell Health
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