Why is sleep important?
Are you dozing off at those important work meetings? Or scared to hop on to that treadmill due to lack of energy? Or feeling dizzy and lazy throughout the day?
Well, we think you are ignoring the importance of sleep and you need it very badly because quality sleep is prominent for good health along with nutritious diet and physical exercise.
As per studies, inadequate sleep causes weight gain and also increases risk of diseases. Also, it has immediate negative effects on your brain function, hormones and exercise performance.
Why it is a worry?
The biggest concern is chronic sleep loss, which can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure and a decrease in the power of immune system.
What causes sleep problems?
- Emotional disorders – depression, bipolar disorder
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Pathological sleepiness
- Hypertension
- Elevated cardiovascular risks
- Abnormalities in immune, brain and nervous systems
- Improper metabolic functions
- Insomnia and accidents
What happens when we don’t get enough sleep?
- Weakened immune system
- High risk of heart diseases
- Heightened risk of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Weight gain
- Low productivity and concentration
- Getting into depression
- Less social and emotional intelligence
What helps?
A recent research suggests that mindful meditation and a mind calming practice that focuses on breathing and awareness of the present moment really helps a lot.
Also, study was conducted that included 49 middle-aged and older adults who had trouble sleeping. Half of them completed a mindfulness awareness program that taught them meditation and other exercises designed to help them focus on “moment-by-moment experiences, thoughts, and emotions.” The other half completed a sleep education class that taught them ways to improve their sleep habits.
Both groups met six times, once a week for two hours. Compared with the people in the sleep education group, those in the mindfulness group had less insomnia, fatigue, and depression at the end of the six sessions.
The findings came as no surprise to Dr. Herbert Benson, director emeritus of the Harvard-affiliated Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine.
Dr. Benson says, “Mindfulness meditation is just one of a smorgasbord of techniques that evoke the relaxation response.”
Tips to sleep better at night:
- Don’t consume too much caffeine especially late in the day
- Reduce irregular and long day time naps
- Optimize your bedroom environment
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Avoid heavy meals before sleep
- Don’t smoke especially near bedtime
- Minimize noise, light and excessive cold and hot temperatures where you sleep
- Maintain a regular sleep / wake schedule
- Exercise regularly
- Get a comfortable bed, mattress and pillow
Here’s how we can help you with our service offerings:
Undeniably, sleep plays a key role in your health and If you’re interested in optimal health and well-being, it’s recommended that you make sleep a top priority. In case, if you are unable to sort it out, seek professional help from us. Our lifestyle coach will help you exactly as per your requirement using specially designed mind and body processes.
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