There’s a number of reasons why we feel so much better after a good night’s rest and the benefits go further than just waking up in a better mood or banishing those under eye circles.

 

Getting enough sleep is key to a healthy heart, maintain weight and mental health.

A good night’s sleep comprises of 4 to 5 sleep cycles. Each cycle includes periods of both deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when we dream. Throughout the night the portion of the cycle in REM sleep increases.

The ideal amount of sleep varies person to person but on average adults require 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night, children should be getting minimum 10 hours of sleep, while teenagers need at least 9 hours. To feel the maximum restorative benefits of sleep you need to be getting a full night of quality sleep.

There are many factors that can disrupt sleep. Stimulants like caffeine or medications can keep you up. Electronics—especially the light from TVs, mobile phones and ipads—can hinder you from falling asleep.

The 2 most common sleep disorders are Insomnia and Sleep Apnea.

People who suffer from insomnia have trouble falling or staying asleep. They often become stressed and anxious about falling asleep which often exacerbates the problem. Most of us will suffer from occasional insomnia. But chronic insomnia—where you are unable to fall or stay asleep for more than 3 nights a week over an extended period —can trigger serious daytime problems such as exhaustion, irritability and difficulty concentrating.

Common therapies include relaxation and deep-breathing techniques. Sometimes medicine is prescribed. But consult a doctor before trying even over-the-counter sleep pills, as they may leave you feeling unrefreshed in the morning.

People with sleep apnea have a loud, uneven snore and even stop breathing (although not everyone who snores has apnea). Breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you’re not getting enough oxygen into your body, and your brain interrupts your sleep to open your windpipe.

Sleep Apnea is extremely serious. Your bodies oxygen goes down and your fight or flight response is activated. Blood pressure spikes, your heart rate fluctuates and the brain wakes you up partially to start your breathing again creating stress and leaving you feeling tired and drained.  You may even find you have trouble focusing and thinking clearly.  For more information on what causes Sleep Apenea visit our page What Causes Sleep Apena today. 

Good sleep is vital to your health. To ensure you are functioning at your best every day make sure you are taking the right steps to getting a solid nights sleep.

Related Tag: Sleep Apnea Treatment Brisbane