Enhance Wellness by Improving Sleep Efficiency

You may often lose sleep when hard-pressed for time. Many consider sleep as a luxury and believe that the benefits of limiting the hours of sleep outweigh the costs. However, what people overlook is the long-term health where to improving sleep efficiency and the impact it eventually has on one’s time and productivity.

Sleep health is essential to experience overall well-being and you will understand why through this article.

Why is Sleep Health important? 

As sleep has a positive effect on one’s mental, emotional, and physical health, it is essential for one’s general health. Receiving sufficient rest allows one to regulate desire hormones, boost coronary artery health, and fortify your defense system—all of which help promote healthy losing weight. Furthermore, it plays a role for maintaining psychological well-being since it lowers anxiety, improves mental agility, and controls emotion. Proper rest increases focus and efficiency and lowers the likelihood that mishaps since it retains motor abilities. On an emotional level, it encourages deeper connections and mental toughness. Over time, sound sleep routines can help people live more comfortably and be healthier by preventing serious illnesses. Sustaining balance and good wellness requires making sleep a priority via consistent habits and an inviting atmosphere.

Risks associated with Insufficient Sleep

The 2024 investigation reveals the important effect of sleep on health. Data shows that a little 2-3 hour daily reduction in sleep might substantially enhance the likelihood of multiple health complications.There are serious dangers for both well-being both mentally and physically associated with getting not enough sleep.

• Obesity as Lack of sleep affects both of these hormones, which control appetite and fullness, accordingly. This outcome in a spike in appetite and consumption of calories. Over the years, this disruption may have a role in gain of weight and fat.
• Diabetes: Insulin-resistant and type 2 diabetes become more prevalent when a person endures ongoing lack of sleep because it affects their ability to manage blood glucose levels.
• Cardiovascular illnesses: Hypertension, also known or high cholesterol levels, is linked to sleep disturbance and is an important risk indicator for heart attack, a stroke, and other types of cardiovascular problems.
• Dysfunction of the Immune System: Lack of sleeping impairs the body’s immunity, leaving the individual more prone to infections like colds and influenza.

Some Therapies to help with Sleep Disorders

Depending on your needs, the therapist may recommend the following techniques:

1. Stimulus control therapy removes factors that condition your mind to resist sleep.
2. Partial sleep deprivation treatment, or sleep restriction, to make you tired to sleep better the next night.
3. changing basic lifestyle habits that influence sleep, such as smoking and consuming caffeine, to maintain sleep hygiene.
4. Improving the sleep environment to provide comfort, quiet, and darkness.
5. Relaxation training to calm your mind and body.
6. Letting go of the worry of being unable to sleep and being passively awake.
7. Biofeedback to keep your heart rate and muscle tension in check and learn how to relax them.

Remedies for Improving Sleep efficiency

Some of the complementary techniques to help treat sleep disorders, such as insomnia, and improve sleep health are:

• Mind-body practices – Relaxation techniques, Mindfulness-based stress reduction, Yoga, Acupuncture, Hypnotherapy.
• Dietary supplements – Melatonin, L-tryptophan.
• Herbs – Chamomile, Kava, Valerian, Hops, Passion fruit.
• Other complementary health approaches are aromatherapy and homeopathy.

Some Ayurvedic practices help ease sleep troubles and provide a good night’s sleep to feel better the next day. The following are mentioned 5 of these practices:

• Cool foot bath – Rinsing your foot in cool water before bed or anytime you feel hot during the night is a time-tested technique for improving sleep. According to Ayurveda, the feet are connected with the fire element and, therefore, cooling it down refreshes the mind and returns it to restful sleep.
• Early supper – Ayurveda recommends eating light around sunset and eating at least 2 hours before bedtime. This is because having a heavier meal at night will only reduce your digestive strength and prevent sound sleep.
• Reducing alcohol consumption – Alcohol may be helpful to fall asleep, however, it overstimulates the liver causing restlessness, and a fiery body, and mind. After consuming alcohol at night chances are you may wake up in the middle of the night with hot flashes, night sweats, and sweltering feet.
• Adding weight – Often adding a lightweight such as a pillow or extra blanket on your feet can help you feel relaxed and sleep undisturbed.
• Self-massage – Rubbing the feet, lower back, ears, and head before bed helps to dilate the blood vessels and release heat, hence, improving sleep.

How much sleep is enough?

Sleep patterns differ from person to person and the amount varies throughout your life. Mentioned below is the recommendation of sleep needs required in general for different age groups:

• Infants aged 4-12 months: 12-16 hours a day (including naps)
• Children aged 1-2 years: 11-14 hours a day (including naps)
• Children aged 3-5 years: 10-13 hours a day (including naps)
• Children aged 6-12 years: 9-12 hours a day
• Teens aged 13-18 years: 8-10 hours a day
• Adults aged 18 years or older: 7-8 hours a day

Ways of Improving Sleep Habits 

A good quality sleep ensures that you are happier and more productive during the day. Sleep is often easily and more conveniently squeezed out of a hectic schedule; however, what people fail to understand is that sleep helps protect your health and well-being in the present and the future.

Some of how you can improve your sleep habits are:

• Set a proper schedule to and wake up daily, on weekdays and weekends.
• Avoid exposing yourself to artificial bright light or performing strenuous activity before bedtime. Use an hour before bed for some quiet time.
• Avoid heavy and/or large meals, or alcohol before bedtime.
• Avoid nicotine or caffeine before bed as they act as stimulants and interfere with sleep.
• Perform physical activity every day.
• Keep your bedroom quiet, cool, and dry.
• Take a hot bath or use relaxation techniques before bed.

Working on shifts, or at odd hours, interferes adversely with patterns. Under such circumstances, it can be helpful to:

• Take naps and increase the amount of time available for sleep.
• Keep the lights bright at work.
• Limit shift changes to adjust your body clock.
• Limit caffeine use during the first half of your shift.
• While sleeping during the day, remove any sound or light distractions from your room.

Ensuring you follow a proper  pattern is as important as making sure your diet and work schedule are properly followed. Good sleep health is necessary for overall health and well-being. If you are having difficulty falling asleep, make sure you consult a doctor to understand the cause of insufficient or abnormal sleep patterns to tackle the issue from its root.

If you’re interested in practicing the aforementioned natural methods for good sleep under our guidance, feel free to get in touch with us for personalized natural and holistic therapy expert consultations and more.

A Word From WG

Wellness Garden is your committed partner in seeking comprehensive natural and holistic therapies to address all your pain and wellness requirements. Our approach encompasses the entirety of your body, mind, and environment, integrating body, mind, and nutrition therapy and various other techniques.

Whether you’re facing physical or mental health concerns, life hurdles, or simply aiming to enhance your overall well-being, we’re here to provide the support you need. Get in touch with us to explore the possibilities and embark on your journey towards holistic therapy and improved health.