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5 Ways To Improve Your Body Health Through Better Sleep Hygiene
Sure, we all love it when we get a good nights sleep and then wake up feeling rested, but the function of sleeping goes far deeper than this. Sleep hygiene, which refers to the habits, behaviors, and environmental conditions that influence your quality of sleep, is a critical part of maintaining body health. When sleep hygiene is done properly, you are able to fall asleep with ease, remain asleep through the night, and feel refreshed when its time to wake up. Many people assume that when we sleep, the body is simply at rest. However, a whole lot of activity is taking place with your brain, muscles, and hormones, all of which work together to keep your body health in check.
Nobody would deny the importance of sleep, and yet studies show that 1 in 3 adults still dont get enough rest each day. Most adults should be getting at least seven hours of sleep per night on a regular schedule. Of course, the quality of sleep matters just as much as the quantity. If youre technically spending enough hours in bed but waking up feeling groggy, irritable, and unfocused, its time to make changes to your sleep hygiene practices.
What Happens to Your Body When You Dont Sleep Enough?
If you arent sleeping enough, you are facing more issues than just feeling tired in the morning. Your mental and body health are suffering as well. Sleep deprivation does the following:
- Adversely affects brain function. It becomes more difficult to concentrate, solve problems, make decisions, or regulate your emotions.
- Slows you down. People who dont sleep well invariably take longer to finish tasks and are more prone to making mistakes.
- Weakens your immune system. A sleep-deprived body is less capable of fighting off germs and illnesses.
- Affects insulin sensitivity. This can impact blood sugar control and may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Increases the risk of accidents. Sleep-deprived drivers are more likely to cause car crashes.
- Contributes to serious health conditions. Poor sleep can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, and obesity.