Don't we all just want a life filled with complete health, brimming with energy and joy?
A body that does not get tired after just 10 minutes of play or lungs that can handle any flight of stairs with absolute ease.
"You need more sleep!" says everybody else. "But I just don't have the time", you groan.
That is true - in today's fast-paced world with overflowing to-do lists, prioritizing sleep is the last thing we're thinking of.
However, little do we know that neglecting sleep has a profound impact on our overall health and well-being.
The Circadian Rhythm
Before jumping on how to get a good night's sleep, it is necessary to understand how sleep works.
What is the Circadian Rhythm?
Our bodies have a 24-hour cycle that is a part of the body's internal clock that determines when to carry out essential bodily functions. This rhythm plays a crucial role in helping a person sleep at regular intervals.
As the sun sets in the evening, the body begins producing the sleep hormone - melatonin. When the sun rises, melatonin production begins to drop, preparing the body to wake up. Having a proper circadian rhythm that is aligned with the natural cycle of daylight and darkness is key to getting refreshing and healing sleep.
What If Your Circadian Rhythm Is Off?
If you don't respond to your body's needs and don't sleep on time, your circadian rhythms may get misaligned. This may happen for many reasons, such as inconsistent work hours, traveling, unhealthy social habits that lead to irregular bedtimes, stress, illness, frequent sleep disruptions, or an uncomfortable sleep environment.
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The Stages of Sleep
Sleep is not one single course; rather, it consists of four individual stages that occur around four to six times.
The four sleep stages include one for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and three for non-REM (NREM) sleep (N1, N2, N3, and REM).
How to Fix Your Circadian Rhythm and Get Good Sleep
The main way to reset your circadian rhythm is to make important changes to your lifestyle and environment.
While the circadian rhythm is mainly influenced by light and darkness, other factors, such as exercise and eating, also play an important role.
- Gradually adjust your sleep schedule to meet your ideal sleep hours and times.
- Get sun exposure in the morning after waking up. A sun lamp is a good alternative for those with a lack of access to the sun.
- Eat breakfast immediately after waking up and avoid late dinners.
- Limit alcohol and caffeine.
- Avoid working out late in the evening.
- Avoid digital devices and screens at least an hour before bedtime to regulate the flow of melatonin.
Why is Sleep So Important?
For a moment, picture your body as a machine. Every thought in your mind, every movement of your body, and every beat of your heart requires a large amount of energy. Definitely, it needs to recharge and regain all the energy it is using!
Sleep is our body's most essential technique to do so - a time for repair and restoration.
Benefits of Good Sleep
By giving importance to sleep and aligning it with your circadian rhythm, you can get all the stages of sleep and the health benefits that come with each of them. These are:
- Better cognitive functioning
- Emotional well-being
- Stronger immunity
- Brain detoxification
- Cellular Renewal
- Reduced stress
- Increased focused and alertness
By prioritizing your sleep and aligning it with your circadian rhythm, you're not just getting a good night's rest; you're becoming a healthier person night by night!
Picture yourself waking up fully energized and able to go about your day with strong focus and clarity. Additionally, your body gets sick less often, and you're able to deal with tough situations tactfully and with good emotional regulation.
This version of you is not a mere dream - it's something you can achieve in reality.
So take charge now and enjoy the power of sleep!
Do you have burning thoughts or opinions? We'd love to hear them! Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below to get the conversation flowing, or feel free to reach out to us at larra@globalindiannetwork.com.
