Issue 143 | Sleep Wellness

Page 38

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H

ave you ever felt so unmotivated and distressed the day after a restless night of tossing and turning in your bed, trying to

find a way to fall asleep? Most of the time,

counting sheep doesn’t do it. Occasionally,

we all experience sleep issues, but it can be a real problem when insomnia persists. Besides making us tired and irritable, lack of sleep can negatively affect our health, leading to obesity,

Ways to Get Better Sleep

heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The number of hours of sleep tends to change and decrease as we age, resulting in more restless nights and weary mornings.

Women often experience it during the time of menopause, when hot flashes and other symptoms awaken them. Your circadian

rhythm also compensates for the change in

dark and light. With age, it undergoes a shift, thus making it more difficult to fall asleep and

stay asleep through the night.

WO

RDS

B Y K AT H L E E N H E R N A N

DEZ

Why Is Getting Better Sleep Important? The

importance

of

sleep

cannot

be

understated, just like the importance of

exercise and a nutritious diet. This is because sleep is essential for our health and fitness–a lack of sleep is detrimental to hormone levels,

exercise performance and brain function.

Additionally, it can cause weight gain and increase disease risk in children and adults.

In contrast, good sleep can help you eat less, exercise better and become healthier.

Therefore, a good night’s sleep is crucial to maintaining and improving your health, as well as losing weight. There has been a decline in both sleep quality and quantity over the past few decades. As a result, many people have trouble sleeping regularly. We all know better sleep is better for us. But better sleep doesn’t just happen — it requires planning and preparation.

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