Sleep - is it the most important predictor of health?

Everyone has struggled with sleep at one point in time. Not being able to fall asleep, waking up in the middle of the night for absolutely no reason, or finding it impossible to open your eyes in the morning... don't worry you're not alone. Let's dive into the magical world of sleep!

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is the essential recharge your body needs to keep running smoothly. 

 

Physical Repair

While you sleep, your body is working to repair tissues, build muscle, and support your immune system.

During sleep, your brain processes information, consolidates memories, and cleans out toxins. It organizes and catalogs the information you've collected throughout the day. This is when your learning, memory, problem-solving, and creativity is prepared.

Emotional Balance
Ever notice how cranky you feel after a night of poor sleep? Sleep helps regulate your mood and emotional responses. It's helps you handle stress, anxiety, and irritability.

Chronically short sleep is associated with developing type 2 diabetes, and increased risk of heart disease. Along with that disturbed sleep increases inflammation. A good sleep routine prevents these risks. 

 

 

The Struggle to Sleep 

Why is it so challenging to get a good night's sleep? And how can we improve our sleep.

Stress and Anxiety 

In our fast-paced, high-stress world, many of us struggle to relax and quiet our mind when it is time to close our eyes.

Screens emit blue light which disrupts our body's production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep.

Our bodies thrive on routines. Going to bed and waking up at different times each day confuses your internal clock, making it harder to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

Your sleep set up plays a major role in sleep quality. Think about the comfort of your mattress, and noise and temperature levels and set them all to comfortable levels for a good nights sleep.

Avoid caffeine and a heavy meal close to bedtime. The caffeine and digestion can keep you awake longer than you'd like.

 

What is Sleep Age?

Sleep age is a new measure of health that projects an age based off of one's quality of sleep and correlated health. Changes in sleep is a sign of aging, but luckily sleep age can be improved!

 

Here are some ways we are here to support your good nights sleep.

 

Check out this great podcast about sleep

 

 

Join a yoga session to get your body moving and calm the mind from stress and anxiety. 

 

Participate in a soundful breathing soundbath and enjoy the deep relaxation it provides.

 

Avoid Caffeine in the afternoon. If you want an energy boost, try a latte with our brain boosting Shroom Cacao Blend or make an energy filled powerball.

 

 

Sources:

 

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/04/good-sleep-good-health#:~:text=Good%20sleep%20improves%20your%20brain,stroke%20to%20obesity%20and%20dementia.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-why-good-sleep-is-important#2.-Can-improve-concentration-and-productivity

https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2022/08/31/scientists-calculate-sleep-age-mortality/