The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep
Lack of sleep is commonplace in modern society
Science is just scratching the surface of the importance of a good night’s sleep. The concept of sleep and Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep are being discussed more at length, as many people suffer from irregular sleep, whether it is occasionally, or all the time.
It’s become accepted and normal for most people to not get sleep. Caffeine and other stimulants have become necessary to combat fatigue, and most people joke about this addictive response.
If a person is suffering from sleep deprivation of some kind, they may not be aware of all the physiological stress on their body. The body requires a certain amount of sleep to function optimally, and missing essential sleep is troublesome.
In an effort to understand this need for sleep, and the affects of erratic sleeping habits, researchers compiled data from multiple studies. Their findings were valuable to their research efforts, and we have listed these findings below.
Research Findings on the Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep
- Anxiety and mental health–A very poignant finding, from the studies, was the relationship between mental health, namely anxiety, and the prevalence of sleep deprivation.
The researchers found a direct correlation with the amount of anxiety exhibited in a regular day and the amount of sleep from the night before.
“Deep sleep had restored the brain’s prefrontal mechanism that regulates our emotions, lowering emotional and physiological reactivity and preventing the escalation of anxiety,” Eti Ben Simon, the study’s lead author, said in a news release.
While sleeplessness is not a direct cause of anxiety, it contributes to it chemically and physiologically. The studies showed that the participants who slept well the night before had drastic decreases in their levels of anxiety and stress the next day, compared to the participants who did not sleep well.
- Work ethic and communication – The research also proves a theory that many people have about being “grouchy” from sleepiness. Lack of sleep does show that it plays a role in a person’s behavior in the daytime.
It is not an easy characteristic to measure, as it varies from person to person and situation to situation. However, the researchers believe that lack of sleep can be associated with less self-control, leading to more misbehavior.
Interestingly enough, the research done was observed among a company’s staff. The results from the study showed that misbehavior and, even, workplace theft were both more prevalent when an employee had trouble sleeping.
- Health concerns – There are legitimate concerns when a person doesn’t get enough sleep, or has irregular sleeping habits.
There are practical consequences to too little sleep, such as an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and falls, and sleeplessness has also been shown to contribute to chronic illnesses such as dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disease ,and obesity.
There are also consequences to normal cognitive and hormonal processes. It affects the brain in many ways, and the result not only increases anxiety, it can also lead to increased risk of depression, schizophrenia, and, even suicide.
Sadly sound sleep is so rare in mental illness conditions that psychiatric findings reported, “…we cannot find a single psychiatric condition in which [the subject’s] sleep is normal.”
Natural Remedies for a Good Night’s Sleep
The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep cannot be understated. Among the remedies are natural and manufactured options. However, the first step to taking control of sleeping patterns is to make it a priority.
Despite the methods being taken to get more sleep, having the right mindset will make all the difference. A change in your lifestyle may be needed, similar to that of a person beginning a diet or exercise routine.
Paying attention to sleep hygiene — items like darkness and proper temperature in your bedroom and shutting off electronics early — is also important.
TB12 writes more on natural sleep remedies HERE.
- Stay Active
- No Alcohol or Caffeine before bed
- Just Relax
- Stay Cool
- Keep it quiet
Reed Chiropractic understands the importance of a good night’s sleep and the role it plays in one’s overall health. We encourage balanced sleep as an essential tool in the management of anxiety symptoms. Unrest causes chemical and physiological reactions, which can trigger symptoms of acute stress response and, long-term stress response status will inevitably affect your mental health and wellness. Do not let sleep be a chore, make it an important part of your life!
