Don’t lose sleep over it!

If you’re one of those who choose work over sleep, then this is for you. You’ll learn why sleep is important, and discover ways to ensure that you get a good night’s rest every time.

There are many things that stress us these days: work, family problems, money issues, social responsibilities, and more. And because of all the stress, a lot of people tend to get less sleep than they need. They actually allow stress to keep them awake at night.

The importance of getting enough sleep

When you sleep, you help your body rejuvenate itself to prepare for next day’s activities. Sleep helps keep you healthy, energetic, mentally sharp and able to cope with stress more effectively. Your brain is able to function properly and concentrate better whenever you get enough sleep, which should be around 8 hours each night.

The Nestle Club suggests six reasons to get enough sleep:

1. Learning and memory. Sleep helps the brain to commit new information to memory.
2. Metabolism and weight. Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.
3. Safety. A lack of sleep contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.
4. Mood. Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.
5. Cardiovascular health. Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.
6. Disease. Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body's killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight many of the diseases prevalent today.

How to sleep better when you’re stressed

When you’re stressed, your muscles tense and keep you from falling into the relaxed state necessary for proper sleep. So to get healthy sleep, experts recommend proper management and prevention of stress.

8 ways to get good sleep

1. Make sleep a priority. Try to clear your mind of the things that you still need to do and help your body rest. If there is something that you really need to think about, simply write it down then put it out of your mind. You can just go back to it in the morning then take appropriate action.
2. Give yourself time to unwind. Stop doing mentally demanding work several hours before sleeping so your brain can calm down before you try to sleep.
3. Have a sleep ritual. You can do some light reading or meditation to relax your mind and body. If you do the same things each night before bed, these work to signal your body to start settling down.
4. Go to bed around the same time each night. And wake up close to the same time in the morning, even on weekends. This way, your body and mind will get used to a comfortable routine.
5. Make your sleeping quarters comfortable. Maintain a cool, quiet and dark room, complete with a comfy mattress and bed linen.
6. Exercise regularly. To relieve tension and stress, exercise. But don’t do it too close to bedtime.
7. Take a warm bath. Warm water relaxes the muscles and the mind.
8. Take power naps! They increase productivity and keep you energetic and alert.

Sources:
https://www.nestle.com.ph/