In today’s health conscious society, health fads are a dime a dozen. But often, we tend to overlook simple effective things in favor of the complicated. Light Exercise, Eating Sensibly and Drinking Water are three common things everyone should think of when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. However, there is another important trait which is often overlooked - one of the simplest things a person can do to improve their holistic health is to sleep more!
Sleep is very important to brain functioning. During sleep, brainwaves slow down and allow the brain to take a break from taxing, high-frequency processes. Sleep promotes learning, improves proficiency at tasks, and sustains emotional well being. It also improves memory, creativity, concentration, and alertness. In addition, sleep increases the production of growth hormones, which help fuel vitality. It boosts the immune system, brain functioning, and sex drive. Also, sleep reduces signs of aging and fights against disease. Most people get less than seven hours of sleep. Seven to nine hours of sleep each night can help the body to function optimally. Lack of sleep in America is rampant, with 50 to 70 percent of people suffering from insufficient sleep!
Many people would like to get more sleep but suffer from insomnia for various reasons. Some of the biggest causes of insomnia are stress, anxiety, pain, caffeine, medicines, alcohol, processed foods, low-carb diets, exercising too late at night, going to the bathroom in the middle of the night and bad pillows or mattresses. People try all kinds of artificial methods to sleep better including costly sleeping pills. Again simple lifestyle changes and holistic healing will provide long lasting improvements for people who have insomnia. There are two main types of sleep: REM sleep and non-REM sleep. REM sleep restores the mind to its full potential; it improves ability to learn and store memories. Non-REM sleep helps to restore the body. During this stage the body releases growth hormones. Tissue grows and damage is repaired in the body. These are very important functions and without sleep they cannot occur!
There are many natural lifestyle activities to get better sleep! Daily exercise is one of the best stress management techniques. Also, during exercise the body produces serotonin which helps improve the quality of sleep. A regular sleep schedule is also very beneficial. When the body gets used to sleeping and waking at similar times sleep quality is improved. During sleep decreasing noise in the bedroom and blocking out light can make it much easier to fall asleep. Finally, decrease caffeine and alcohol consumption, especially late in the day!
In many countries, afternoon siestas are a custom. Stores and businesses literally close for a few hours in the afternoon so people can rest. Taking naps actually increases alertness and enhances performance throughout the day. Many people start to feel sleep in the afternoon. They often remedy this with caffeine. However, when this happens the body is trying to say that it needs rest. A 10-30 minute nap can go a long way towards natural healing.
Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I'd like to write like this too - taking time and real effort to make a good article... but what can I say... I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.
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