Sleep is essential for so many reasons. Not only is it good for our mind, body and soul, but did you know we actually need sleep to survive too?
Let’s face it, we all love to sleep, especially as you get older! But, in today’s busy and hectic world, how many of us can say that we actually get a good 8 hours of quality sleep each night? I imagine it’s not many! We often underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep and how essential it is for us to be able to function properly.
Why do we need sleep?
Sleep is still such an anomaly and continues to baffle those who study it. There’s still no one explanation for why we need sleep, but there are a number of theories out there.
Emotional and physical wellbeing
When we head off to sleep we allow our emotional and physical state to begin to recover. Our emotions can reset, just like our body. Rest is one of the best things we can give ourselves, especially if we have demanding or challenging jobs.
Reduces stress
if you’ve ever felt like doing nothing and just sleeping when you’re stressed, there’s a good reason why. When your head hits the pillow and you drift off, your brain calms down and this can help to reduce stress.
What happens while we sleep?
So many important biological processes happen when we sleep, which is one of the reasons why it’s so important. When we doze off our brain stores new information and gets rid of any toxic waste. Not only that but our nerve cells communicate and reorganise ready for the next day, helping to support healthy brain functions.
While we’re busy dreaming away, our body is keeping busy repairing cells, restoring energy and releasing those all-important hormones and proteins. So, it’s safe to say that sleep is pretty darn important! All of these processes are vital for our health and without them, our bodies simply won’t function properly.
The next time you’re thinking of pulling an all-nighter, remember all of this!
How to improve your sleep
If you’re struggling to sleep, there are a number of ways you can give yourself the best chance for a good night. Why not give meditation a try before bed. There are a number of apps out there with guided meditation available, so if you’re unsure how to go about it, there’s help available.
You could also try exercising during the day too as this will use up your energy stores to help you sleep better through the night. Alternatively, if exercise isn’t for you, why not try settling down to a good book? Reading can help to make your brain tired and therefore help you to drift off soundly.
One final tip is to get yourself some good quality ladies nightwear. Having the appropriate styles for summer, winter and the transitional seasons will really help you to sleep much easier.
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