Winterproof Your Sleep Routine Say goodbye to drowsy: Tips for getting a good night’s rest this season.
T
he alarm jolts you awake, but it’s still pitch black outside and you feel as if you’ve barely closed your eyes. Winter mornings have a way of making it harder than ever to get out of bed, leaving you wishing for just a little more shuteye. Getting a good night’s sleep is not just a good idea, it’s also vital to your health and wellbeing. Sleep restores and recharges your body, improves your brain function, and can even help you fend off illness. Winter’s arrival, though, can cause some common sleep disturbances. Here is why sleep matters to your health, along with tips to improve yours this winter.
How Sleep Supports Health Most adults need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per night, with a minimum of 7 hours. Getting less can affect you the next day, while chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of disease.
“Sleep plays a crucial role in your overall health,” said Dr. Catherine Bernard, Chief Medical Officer at Aspen Valley Hospital. “Quality sleep not only makes you feel better, but it also helps the immune system stay strong. It can help you stave off weight gain, anxiety, depression and more.” Think of it this way: while you sleep, your body hits the “repair” and “reset” buttons. Sleep supports your health through:
ROUTINE RECHARGE. During stages of deep sleep, your body recharges vital functions. It releases growth hormones that reduce inflammation, repair tissue and strengthen bone. Adequate sleep is also essential to help you recover from heavy physical activity and build muscle.
BRAIN BOOST. When you sleep, your brain consolidates memory, clearing pathways to retain new information. This can make thinking, learning and problemsolving a little easier.
HORMONE BALANCE. Adequate sleep helps regulate hormones related to stress, like cortisol, and appetite, such as ghrelin and leptin. Hormonal balance assists with keeping a healthy weight and lowering the risk of certain metabolic diseases like diabetes.
ENERGY REFRESH. Giving your
IMMUNE PROTECTION. Sleep
mind and body the opportunity to rest conserves and recharges your energy. It’s why you wake up feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep.
fuels your immune system and antibodies to help you fight off disease and infection.
Getting your zzz’s then, isn’t just about helping you get through the next day. It’s key to your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
WINTER 2023-2024
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