HEALTHY SLEEP, HEALTHY FUTURE

Hello people! It's world sleep day, and the theme for this year's awareness is

"healthy sleep, healthy future."

As we strive for professional feats, work-life balance becomes a phenomenon we have to deal with. More often than not, the best of us relegate sleep in order to push through the daily demands of life. Sleep is somehow seen by some sects as an enemy of progress; definitely not a healthy sleep. Healthy sleep is important for your sustainability. Just as it is natural for your body to crave food, it is natural for it to crave sleep as well. Imagine how miserable we would be without both.

Why Do We Need Sleep?

Many things happen in the body when we go to sleep; the body eliminates wastes, repairs worn-out cells, replenishes strength, and optimizes brain function among other things. I would liken this to battery recharge and software updates. When we sleep, we optimize the overall functioning of our vital organs and systems. Haven't you wondered why you feel stronger and assimilate better in the early hours of the morning when you wake up? In simple terms, we need quality and healthy sleep for optimum functioning of our bodies. Consistent sleep deprivation puts the body at risk of ill health and is tantamount to sub-optimal body function.

How Many Hours of Sleep is Okay?

The debate as to how many hours one should sleep has been on for so many years. Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep for healthy adults. In actual fact, some folks would find it difficult to sleep for 8 hours at a stretch. In that case, take regular naps when you are fatigued.

How Can I Get Adequate Sleep?

Here are tips to help improve your chances of getting a healthy sleep:

• Go to bed early or have a regular sleep pattern that allows you adequate sleep
• Stop procrastination and clear your table in time to avoid overstretching yourself
• Delegate where necessary so you can have more time
• Create a system where things can run with or without you.
• Switch off the TV or PC
• Put your phone aside - It's okay not to view statuses (WhatsApp, IG, Facebook etc.) before bed.
• Avoid water intake just before bed to prevent nocturia
• Turn off the lights

You may find other tips represented in this diagram useful as well.

I hope you found the tips useful! Kindly, like, comment and share.