Here at Latus Health, we recognise sleep as one of the most important elements of health and wellbeing. This is why we have incorporated it into our 5-pillars of wellness strategy.
So obviously, we open up our arms for the week-long “Begin with Sleep” campaign which will provide valuable information about the benefits of optimal sleep and how sleep affects health, well-being, and safety.
Too many people struggle to fall asleep, cannot wake up in the morning and then feel constantly tired throughout the day.
Sleep plays a significant role in healing and repairing your heart and blood vessels. It helps us maintain a healthy weight and a good balance of hormones, as well as controlling sugar levels.
It is thought that from an eight-hour sleep, the first four hours of sleep help physiologic repair and the latter four help psychosocial repair. So, a night of disturbed sleep is going to be detrimental to our overall health.
In terms of mental health, a great night’s sleep makes the brain work properly. It helps us to learn, remember, solve problems and make decisions, as well as safeguarding against stress, mood swings and depression.
Many effects of a lack of sleep, such as feeling grumpy and not working at your best, are well known. But did you know that sleep deprivation can also have profound consequences on your physical health?
One in 3 of us suffers from poor sleep, with stress, computers and taking work home often blamed. However, the cost of all those sleepless nights is more than just bad moods and a lack of focus. Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes – and it shortens your life expectancy.
Most of us need around 8 hours of good-quality sleep a night to function properly – but some need more and some less. What matters is that you find out how much sleep you need and then try to achieve it. As a general rule, if you wake up tired and spend the day longing for a chance to have a nap, it’s likely that you’re not getting enough sleep.
A variety of factors can cause poor sleep, including health conditions such as sleep apnoea. But in most cases, it’s due to bad sleeping habits.
It’s now clear that a solid night’s sleep is essential for a long and healthy life.
TIPS
- Turn off all electronics an hour before bed. That includes laptops, tablets, or smartphones. If you’re reading before bed, consider paper format.
- Try not to eat a huge meal before bedtime. If you feel hungry around that time, try eating a small healthy snack instead!
- Reduce your caffeine intake eight hours before going to bed. Try drinking caffeine-free tea such as chamomile, ginger, or peppermint.
- Keep your bedroom temperature cool around 15c.
- Try blackout curtains or use a sleep mask if you feel your bedroom isn’t dark enough.
- For more information about Sleep Awareness week, visit sleepfoundation.org/saw. Follow our campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #SleepBetterFeelBetter.
https://sleepcouncil.org.uk/seven-steps-to-a-better-nights-sleep/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/why-lack-of-sleep-is-bad-for-your-health/
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/press-release/sleep-awareness-week-2019
https://www.edmontonrealestate.ca/improve-sleep-at-home.php