While sticking to a sensible, balanced diet and a regular exercise regime is a must in order to look after yourself, did you know getting enough quality sleep is just as important? Skimping on slumber is a big no-no, so if you’re guilty of making this mistake, keep reading. In this blog, we take a look at why sleeping should be a priority, and how a lack of it can seriously impact your health and well-being.
It’s crucial for your physical health
While you sleep, your body has time to not only rest, but to repair itself too so that you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Failing to get the shuteye you need can have a detrimental effect on your health, and it’s linked to an increased risk of a number of serious conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.
The immune system relies heavily on sleep in order to keep working properly, so unless you’re getting the rest you need, you could find that you’re more susceptible to contracting infections and illnesses.
If you feel like your health is suffering and you want to stay fighting fit, it could be time to fine-tune your bedtime approach. For instance, you should make sure your sleep setup is spot on. Ideally, you should have a supportive mattress, soft sheets and plump pillows. You can visit Try Mattress – comprehensive reviews and guides. It’s a great resource if you are not sure what type of mattress you should be sleeping on.
You might even want to overhaul your whole space and replace your bed with a new model entirely. For example, adjustable beds like those available from Adjustamatic can be altered to suit your preferred sleeping posture. A bed like this can help you adopt a comfortable position with little effort so that you can drift off with ease.
It’s vital for your mental well-being
Aside from affecting your physical health, the quality and quantity of sleep you get can have a huge impact on your mental well-being. A lack of shuteye can leave you feeling irritable and moody, and in some cases, depriving yourself of enough time between the sheets can also increase the risk of long-term disorders such as depression and anxiety. You may also find that you begin to struggle emotionally, and you might start to become detached from others, losing your ability to interact socially.
So, if you’re keen to keep your mental health in check, it’s essential that you get the sleep you need. If you find it difficult to switch off in the evening, you might benefit from making a few changes to your bedtime routine. By allowing yourself time to unwind, you should find it much easier to drift off. From having a relaxing bubble bath to reading your favourite book, to listening to calming music, there are a number of ways you can get into the right mindset for a peaceful night’s sleep.
By making a few simple bedtime changes, you stand to take better care of your physical and mental health. If you want to improve your sleep you should also check The Sleep Studies, a website dedicated to all things sleep.
Do you think you get enough good quality sleep? What are your favourite ways of unwinding in the evening?
4 Comments
I always sleep really well after a day full of activity. On days where I do nothing it takes longer to fall asleep. I’m not sure if it’s related for everyone – in fact I may just do some research on it! 😛
Exercise does help people to sleep better as it makes them tired, right? When you are tired you are more likely to fall asleep fast than if you are not? I only have issues falling asleep quickly when I have too many things in my mind.
Oh my goodness, If I go a few days without getting enough sleep I become a grumpy mess. I also tend to sway towards excessive coffee and sweet food, which is really not good for my health at all.
I always sleep better after I’ve had a good dose of fresh air, most evening’s I tend to blog. My guilty habit is watching YouTube/Snapchat before going to sleep.
I get grumpy too without my sleep so I always do my best to get at least 8 hours.I avoid caffeine after 4pm so I can sleep better. And if I had a really good exercise, that definitely helps me fall asleep quicker! I try avoiding looking at the screen just before sleep as I believe it makes me more awake. Does it help you get to sleep quicker? I know everybody is different..