Sleep: Why it’s essential for your general wellbeing?

Are you always tired? Do you have days or even months when you feel exhausted and don’t know why??Maybe is your sleep that needs attention.

Too little sleep decreases attention, concentration, and memory. In addition, it worsens work performance and academic performance. But it can even be a symptom of anxiety or depression. Insomnia not only damages our physical and psychological health but also affects the functioning of our brains.

Find out more interesting details in the lines below!

First, what is sleep??

An?essential function, sleep?allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up.

Healthy sleep also helps the body remain healthy and stave off diseases. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly. This can?impair your abilities?to concentrate, think clearly, and process memories.

What happens during sleep?

There are four stages of sleep and every one of them is important. The first 3 stages are known as NREM sleep (non-rapid eye movement) and the last stage is known as REM sleep (rapid eye movement).

The first 3 stages are characterized by a slower heart rate, slower breathing, slower brain waves, and eye movements. The body temperature will decrease, and your muscles start to relax. The last stage is characterized by an increase in our eye movements, breath, your blood pressure. Arms and legs become paralyzed. These biological processes help you start dreaming.

Sleep & Work Performance

We already know that work schedules or tasks and the stress that comes with them affect our lives including our sleep. But the other side of the coin is also true.

Not having enough sleep can impact your work performance. Feeling tired all the time and not being able to concentrate can lead to difficulty in maintaining focus and attention on tasks. The relationship with your colleagues (or your managers) will be affected, and the quality of sleep can determine your emotional reactions in stressful or negative situations: these reactions are amplified?leading to overreacting at inappropriate times.

Besides enhancing your heart health, regulating your blood sugar, restoring your immune system, and maintaining a healthy weight, sleep also helps with improving your mood, stress relief, and your mental function (memory, clear thinking, concentration, productivity).

How to get better sleep?

• Create a regular sleeping schedule (try to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day);
• Create a quality sleep environment (dark curtains, cool the room, use white noise to help you relax);
• Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine before bedtime.
• Do some exercise during the day;
• Avoid screens before bedtime (at least 30 minutes before you go to sleep);
• Avoid eating before bedtime (finishing your last meal 2-3 hours before you go to sleep).

Fun fact: Today, 75% of us dream in colour. Before colour television, just 15% of us did.

So, how’s your sleep? You can share with us in the comments section.

Till then, have a good night's sleep!