How Does Better sleep contribute to better health?

Better sleep is necessary for your mental as well as physical health. A good night’s sleep is very important for overall health. It is just as vital as having a balanced, nutritious diet and exercising. How does better sleep contribute to better health? This is the main focus of this article.

Sleeping time varies from person to person. However, stats show that most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Also, stats tell us that 65 % of adults don’t get enough sleep hours per night. 

Nature has its phenomenon. None of us can go against nature. Night has been created to have sleep and day has been created to work.

In modern days, we see that lot of people find it difficult to fall asleep at night. The whole night passes and they keep on changing sides on the bed and can’t sleep peacefully.

Despite using sleeping pills, they don’t have better sleep. There are certain reasons behind this insomnia.

This deficiency of sleep or insomnia can prove risky for the health. Therefore, we must give importance to our sleep.

How can we overcome this insomnia? Before discussing the methods that can help in overcoming insomnia, firstly, we will discuss the causes and effects of insomnia. This will help us to figure out that how does better sleep contribute to better health?

causes and effects of insomnia

Most of the times insomnia is caused due to certain life events rather than physical illness. These include stress, anxiety, smoking and drinking too much, watching TV, and playing on phones before going to bed. All these kinds of things can trick our bodies into wanting to stay active rather than going to sleep. 

In routine life, we see so many patients who have insomnia and most of them use sleeping tablets. Most pharmacists, general physicians, and nurse practitioners tend not to recommend these sleeping tablets due to some of their side effects. Firstly, they can be addictive, secondly, they don’t promote restful sleep, and thirdly they’re not fixing the root of the problem.

Well, here I am going to discuss some tips to get a better night’s sleep without the use of medicine. Did you hear that before? It sounds good that have a better night’s sleep without the use of medicines.

So, here are my top tips for a better night’s sleep. 

tips for a better night sleep

day time habits

set time

Firstly, you need to set a specific time to wake up and go to sleep every day. Wake up early in the morning at a fixed time even if you don’t like it. Maybe you feel tired when waking up but because of this when it’s nighttime you will fall asleep almost straight away and it’s because your body needs it.

Exercise

Second, exercise in the day so you’re tired before you go to bed. When you would be tired physically, your body will demand rest. The best way of resting the body is sleeping.

Bed Time habits

Third, don’t work in your bedroom. Keep it just for sleeping. Don’t take naps throughout the day.

Avoid watching TV or playing on your phones whilst in bed or going to bed. It reduces the melatonin in our body.  Melatonin is the hormone that makes us feel sleepier. Don’t have big meals before going to bed. Don’t have alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and smoking especially in the evening because these will alert and stimulate your brain and you will not have a better sleep.

Also, I would like to mention that some prescribed medicines can also interfere with your sleep. If your pharmacist has prescribed you something new and the symptoms of insomnia suddenly come about, then talk to your pharmacist and they can check this for you. Lastly, let’s move on to the bedroom environment

bed room environment

I think it is often overlooked. Keep your bedroom at the right temperature. The use of thick curtains is highly recommended to stop any morning sun or any light coming from street lights. The use of comfortable and proper bedding is advised for better and peaceful sleep.

If you’re still having trouble sleeping after using all these tips then have a word with your general physician, pharmacist, or nurse practitioner. 

Now, we will discuss the benefits that better sleep can provide.

protection from obesity

Studies reveal that people who don’t have better sleep suffer from obesity. When you are awake at night you keep on eating. This extra diet results in obesity. If you sleep in time at night, then you will not need that extra diet. So, we can say that better sleep at night helps in maintaining healthy body weight.

more concentration more productivity

The deficiency of sleep keeps the brain lazy and you lose concentration. The lack of concentration results in less productivity. On the other hand, better sleep at night keeps the brain fresh. The fresh brain concentrates more that resulting in more productivity.

active body

After having recommended sleep at night your body is hundred percent fit and relaxed in the morning. Physically, you feel more fit and active for the coming tasks of the day.

less prone to heart diseases

Studies reveal that people who have at least seven hours of sleep at night are less prone to heart diseases.  So we can say that better sleep at night keeps your heart healthier and fitter.

less prone to diabetes

As per doctors, deficiency of sleep leads to type 2 diabetes. So, we can say that people who have a better night’s sleep are less prone to type 2 diabetes.

fewer chances of developing depression and anxiety

Better sleep at night keeps you away from depression and anxiety. Doctors advise depression and anxiety patients to have at least 07 hours of sleep at night without disturbance.

strong immune system

Better sleep at night helps in improving the immune system of the body against diseases. Doctors say that minimum sleep of 07 hours at night helps to improve your immune system and keeps you safe from diseases like cold and even Covid-19.

Hopefully you have learned how does better sleep contribute to better health? Take care of your sleep because it refreshes your mind and body to deal with the routine matters of the following day. It is indispensable for your mental and physical health as well as for your success in life.