Do you stint on your sleep?
So you’ve been making changes to your diet and lifestyle to become a happier and healthier individual… that’s great! But have you been catching enough zzz’s?
Today, I want to talk to you about sleep and how essential it is to our health. As we try to define what a healthy lifestyle is, we need to understand that, while exercise and a healthy diet are the pillars of getting on track with a healthy lifestyle, we must also factor in sleep, stress management, and other key factors that people too often push under the rug.
Scientific studies have concluded that we need 7-9 hours of sleep a night in order to function properly and let the body do its intended job of healing. Our ability to make decisions, to operate machinery, and other issues may be impaired when we are sleep deprived. Not only can sleep deprivation affect our day in terms of safety and productivity, but it affects our body internally as well. Some of the effects that sleep deprivation can have on the body are:
Appetite increases, which can lead to weight gain
Blood pressure rises, eventually causing high blood pressure
Blood sugar metabolism worsens which, in the long run can contribute to T. 2 diabetes.
If we sleep less than 7 hours a night, that can damage our body over the years. We are all pressured to work longer hours, stay up late, and not get to bed at a decent hour - which causes us to stint on sleep. The price we pay now and in the future regarding our health, can be detrimental. Do you have a job that forces you to stay up until midnight and wake up feeling fatigued, fuzzy, and irritable? If the answer is yes, take a second to assess how much sleep you are truly getting each night and if your health is paying the price. YOU are the only one that can make that choice for yourself. Choose health and try to schedule in 7-9 hours a night.
For extra advice visit the Sleep Foundation and read about how to get into a better routine and get your health, mind, and body back on track. A few of the tips and tricks that they provide are:
Avoid eating heavy meals or drinking caffeine and alcohol several hours before your set bedtime.
Make your room a pleasant and peaceful place that promotes sleep.
Avoid screen-time and harsh lighting a few hours before bed- try reading a book instead!
Healthy living requires high quality sleep. Get your sleep on track and your body will follow.
To your health!
Dr Anthony