Last Updated on by Helen Currie
Why Sleep is so Important
Although most experts and books will tell us we need 7 – 8 hours of sleep a night. But that does not apply to everyone, as the amount of sleep you need depends on the individual.
The Key is how refreshed you feel when awake, which is influenced by the different types of sleep you get. So if you wake up restored, you know you are getting enough sleep.
Consistently skimping on sleep is known as “sleep debt”; missing half an hour here and an hour there soon adds up.
If you regularly miss having enough sleep needed for your body,y even these small amounts can lead to weight gain; as your metabolism starts slowing, your mood will fall,l and the risk of you feeling depressed increases for every hour of sleep missed.
How Seasons Affect our Sleep
We sleep differently in summer than we do in winter, which is ambient light. As a result, many of us wake up earlier in the summer.
Because the sun rises earlier too, but that often means we don’t feel tired since natural light suppresses the secretion of sleep-inducing melatonin.
If you need to sleep later in the mornings as you work Flexi hours or night shift, it would be a good idea to have black-out curtains or blinds.
Tips for a Good Night Sleep
Factor in some “Me Time”. If you don’t have a pre-bed routine and find dropping off hard, try incorporating 30 minutes of “me time” before sleep. Whether it’s a relaxing warm bath, reading, meditating or listening to soothing music.
A bridge between a hectic day and winding down toward relaxation can aid in a good night’s sleep.
Small little consistent changes can soon help you get the best night’s sleep, which is so very important for the body and mind to function well.