For many people, sleep is something to simply take for granted – a chance to give yourself a break from the strains of the day and to get your mind back into shape. For some, however, sleep is something that causes a range of medical and social problems.
It can be too scarce for some people, leading to all kinds of knock-on effects both in terms of your physical and mental health. This blog post will explore what these issues are and suggest some easy ways to make your sleep better.
Lack of sleep – the physical effects
The effects on your body of failing to get enough nourishing and restorative sleep can be profound – especially if you’re a busy person with lots to do. First off, it can lead to an increased risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems involving heart health, while there is also evidence that it can raise the risk of diabetes.
Some people also complain of aches and pains in the parts of the body that are most affected by sleep problems such as tossing and turning. Opting for the best adjustable pillow from Tonight Sleep Labs is one way to protect yourself against this sort of problem, as it can adapt to your body’s more comfortable positions. For those with significant and chronic pain, choosing a product like this in conjunction with going to the physician to ask for advice is a wise move.
Mental side effects
However, those who don’t get enough sleep can also find themselves experiencing a range of other effects. Everyone has experienced the feeling of lying awake at night and being anxious about a significant life event such as an illness or a house move, and this can lead to problems the next day such as lack of concentration. It’s often difficult to separate out the cause and the effect here: the lack of sleep can make the worries worse, but the worries can cause the lack of sleep to begin with. In sum, it’s a vicious cycle – and one that can often only be resolved by better sleep hygiene, such as fresh sheets, no screens in the bedroom, and cutting down on food and alcohol intake before bed.
In some cases, lack of sleep has been associated with deeper mental health problems rather than just occasional psychological discomfort. Studies suggest that depression, anxiety, and hormone production can all be affected. These, in turn, can lead to long-term declines in quality of life and a raised risk of forgetting key concepts, a lack of libido, increased bad moods and many more. For those who are experiencing these from a lack of sleep, then, speaking to a physician is necessary.
Too much sleep?
In the minds of some, there’s no such thing as too much sleep. It’s such a refreshing activity that it’s considered by a lot of people to be healthy no matter how long it happens for – and that those who get more sleep are healthier and fitter. In reality, however, it isn’t always the case that sleeping for a long time is healthy. It can lead to reduced physical activity in some cases – and hence to weight gain or other health-related question marks. Most adults are recommended by the National Sleep Foundation to have up to nine hours per night, and any more could be an issue.
It’s worth nothing, however, that people in certain age ranges may sleep for longer without it necessarily being a health concern. Anyone who has ever brought up children, for example, will be all too familiar with babies who nap when they please and teenagers who don’t get out of bed until lunchtime. No matter what your age, though, it’s worth keeping an eye on sleeping patterns and reporting anything that doesn’t seem quite right to a physician or other medical professional.
Going to sleep is one of life’s great pleasures for many. However, for those who suffer from lack of sleep or too much sleep, it can be a problem. It’s important to tackle these problems head-on, though, because sleep problems are associated with all kinds of negative health conditions, including diabetes, depression, anxiety and lots more. By looking at the ranges of products out there, practicing better sleep hygiene, and even speaking to your physician, you will be able to turn your sleep experience around and get the slumber you deserve.
Featured image source: Freepik
