Good sleep for good health.

Make sure you get the rest you need.

Sometimes, the pace of modern life hardly gives you time to stop and rest. Getting a good night's sleep regularly can even seem like a distant dream. But sleep is just as crucial to good health as diet and exercise. Good sleep improves brain performance, well-being, and health. Not getting enough and good sleep regularly increases the risk of many diseases and ailments. It's about everything from heart disease and stroke to obesity and dementia, so there's more to consider regarding sound sleep than just the number of hours you sleep.

Healthy sleep involves three main elements;

The first is how much sleep you get. Another is the quality of sleep, i.e., that you get undisturbed and nourishing sleep, and the third and last of these 3 essentials are proper sleeping habits. People who work night shifts or irregular hours may struggle to get quality sleep. Periods of high stress – such as during a stroke or illness can also easily disrupt our standard sleep patterns. But there are many things you can do to improve your sleep.

Sleep to build up

Why do we need to sleep? People even think that sleep is just a "waste of time" when a tired brain gets to rest. But that is entirely wrong. While you sleep, your brain works. For example, sleep helps prepare the brain to learn, remember, and create. When we sleep, the brain completely changes its activity. The brain works like any organ. While we sleep, it becomes almost like a kidney that removes unwanted substances from the system. There are specific repair processes that take place in the body most or most effectively while you sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, these processes will be disrupted.

Sleep; myth and truth.

How much sleep you need changes with age. Experts recommend that school-age children get at least nine hours of sleep each night, and teenagers get between eight and ten hours. Most adults need at least seven hours or more of sleep each night. There are various misunderstandings when it comes to sleep. One of them is that adults need less sleep as they get older. This is not correct. Older adults need the same night's sleep. But sleep quality can deteriorate as you age. Older adults are also more likely to take medications that interfere with sleep. Another sleep myth is that you can catch up on little sleep on your days off. Scientists found that this is mostly not the case. He says that if you sleep poorly one lousy night and nap or sleep longer the next night, it can help, but if you have slept little or poorly for a week, the weekend is not enough to catch you. This is not a healthy pattern. In a recent study, people who lived with a constant lack of sleep were observed. That group was compared to another group of people who were sleep-deprived but could sleep in on the weekend. Both groups of people gained weight due to lack of sleep. Their bodies' ability to control blood sugar also worsened. The weekend's sleep didn't help. The other side is that more sleep is not always better. Adults who sleep more than nine hours a night and feel that it is not enough may have an underlying medical problem.

Sleep disorders

Some people have conditions that prevent them from getting enough good sleep, no matter how hard they try. These problems are called sleep disorders. The most common sleep disorder is insomnia. Insomnia is when you repeatedly have difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. This happens despite having time to sleep and having a good sleeping environment. It can make you feel tired or restless during the day. Insomnia can last briefly, with people having difficulty sleeping for several weeks or months. Quite a few experienced this during the pandemic. It is considered long-term insomnia when the condition lasts for three months or more. Sleep apnea is another common sleep disorder. In sleep apnea, the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep. This reduces or stops airflow, which wakes people up at night. The situation can be dangerous. If left untreated, it can lead to other health problems. If you regularly have trouble sleeping, talk to your healthcare provider. They may have you keep a sleep diary to track your sleep for several weeks. They may also run tests, including sleep studies. This looks for sleep disturbances.

Getting better sleep

If you struggle with sleep, hearing how important it is can be frustrating. But simple things can improve your chances of a good night's sleep. Treatment is available for many common sleep disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help many people with insomnia achieve better sleep. Medicines can also help some people. Many people with sleep apnea benefit from using a CPAP machine. These machines keep your airway open so you can breathe. Other treatments may include special mouthguards and lifestyle changes. A good tip for everyone is to do everything possible to ensure enough sleep and prioritize it.

Sleep is not something you don't take seriously - Sleep is a biological necessity.

Best wishes from the team