Sleep is a vital activity that every human being should make time for. It plays an important role in our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. If you don’t get enough sleep every night, your body and mind will suffer, and you will immediately feel the negative effect on your health. Frequent lack of sleep also causes a lot of diseases and ill conditions to the mind and body.
Benefits of Complete Sleep
Doctors recommend that we get complete sleep every night, as well as enough rest or nap throughout the day. For children, between eight to 10 hours of sleep is recommended, while adults should have at least seven hours of continuous sleep every night.
Below are some of the major benefits of having complete sleep.
Sleep helps repair damaged cells and blood vessels.
It helps improve the memory and prepare your brain cells for the upcoming activities the next day.
It positively affects the quality of life. In fact, according to a 2010 study, researchers suggest that proper sleep promotes longer life.
It helps prevent inflammation and diseases associated with stroke, heart problems, arthritis, diabetes, and premature aging.
It spurs creativity and sharp thinking. Even quick naps within the day do this, so make it a habit to rest your eyes and mind when you are feeling burnt out.
It provides enough energy to last you throughout the day – whether you are an office employee, an athlete, or a housewife.
It helps students recall stuff they have read or studied the night before. Thus, sleep is essential during examination periods, instead of staying up all night and cramming.
Additionally, it helps sharpen students’ memory during class and lectures.
Sleep also helps you maintain and control your weight. A study conducted in the University of Chicago showed that dieters who have complete rest lost more fat than those who lack in sleep.
Finally, sleep reduces stress and calms your mind and body.
Overcoming Sleep Problems
While we all agree to the benefits of having a complete sleep every night, many of us cannot practice this due to many reasons, including insomnia, sleep apnea, and snoring among many others. To improve your sleep every night, here are some tips you may want to rake note of.
Avoid distractions at night, including lights, TV, music, games, gadgets, and noise. Prepare a quiet and cozy room that can help you get a good night sleep.
Take a warm bath or drink warm milk. The warm temperature will add comfort to your body and make you feeling refresh before shutting your eyes.
Avoid drinking coffee or any beverage that contains caffeine before going to bed or as early as the afternoon. Some caffeinated drinks are too strong that their stimulant lasts a couple of hours.
Get a good body massage before going to sleep. The healing power of massage, together with the aromatic scent of essential oils, can help soothe your senses and relax your mind for a peaceful slumber.
Try to sleep at the same time every night. This is like telling your body that when a particular hour arrives, it’s time to shut off and relax for the night.
The Role of Chiropractic Care in Improving Sleep
Chiropractic care and spinal adjustments have been known to help an individual relax, and therefore sleep better. These treatments also improve the flow and circulation of blood in the nervous system, correcting any misalignments, problems, or sublaxations in the spine. Thus, when you have sleep problems, a couple of visits to your chiropractor can help improve your condition.