Health Talk: An advertising supplement to The Morning Journal Submitted by Lorain County Medical Society ‘I’m tired… I didn’t sleep well last night.’
Most of us have said this at least once in our life!
Beside feeling tired the lack of sleep affects our entire body and daily lifestyle.
How lack of sleep affects your brain:
Recent studies show that sleep is necessary to rejuvenate the connections between brain cells.
How lack of sleep affects your immune system:
The lack of sleep lessens white blood cell activity which increases the risk of getting sick.
Sleep and your muscles:
While you are sleeping your body is busy producing growth hormones,these hormones are essential for building muscle tissue.
If you are sleep-deprived you are robbing your body of building strength.
Sleep and your blood sugar:
Are you aware that lack of sleep interferes with the body’s ability to metabolize glucose which then lead to early signs of diabetes.Studies show that sleeping less then 6 hours a night makes you 4 1/2 times as likely to develop diabetes.
Lack of sleep and your mood:
Sleepless nights not only can make you irritable but also can bring on depression. For most of us problems always seem to be worse when we wake during the night and try to deal with our problems.
Suggestions for a better night’s sleep
If you are not getting a good night of sleep take a few moments and think about your pre-bed time activities.
1. Room temperature:
If you keep your room cool it will slow down all of the metabolic processes and help you drift off to sleep. The worse your insomnia the cooler your room should be.
2. Are you hungry?
Studies show that if you go to bed and your stomach is growling you will undoubtedly have trouble falling asleep. Have a light, healthy snack a couple of hours before bed.
3. It’s time to go to bed:
Be consistent! Try going to bed at the same time every evening. Turn off the television, the lights and radio.
4. Cold feet?
If your feet are cold slip on a pair of socks before crawling under the covers. Studies show that feet have the poorest circulation. Wearing socks to bed keeps the blood vessels in your feet dilated, drawing blood away from your core and cooling you off, which in turn helps bring about sleep.
