What do you know about Sleep Hygiene? How is your sleep affecting your health?
Sleep Hygiene is the practices and habits that promote good quality sleep. Sleep and health are strongly related. Poor sleep can increase the risk of having poor health, and poor health can make it harder to sleep.
Do you ever get that feeling of foggy brain or brain fatigue? Where you feel like your head is in the clouds, and it’s hard to focus? In the same way eating healthy and exercise can help to improve your mental health, so can sleep.
A consistent good night’s sleep significantly impacts overall health by influencing factors like mood, energy levels, cognitive function, immune system strength, and even cardiovascular health. Poor sleep hygiene can lead to various health issues including increased risk of chronic diseases, altered metabolism, impaired thinking and mental wellbeing.
Here’s how sleep hygiene affects your health good and bad:
Environment
- Mental Health: Good sleep is associated with improved mood, reduced stress levels, and decreased risk of depression and anxiety.
- Cognitive Function: Adequate sleep enhances memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities.
- Limit Screen Time Before Bed: Avoiding exposure to bright lights from phones, TVs, and computers close to bedtime.
- Stress Relief: Getting enough sleep and exercise can help reduce stress.
Routine
- Physical Performance: Lack of sleep can negatively affect athletic performance and reaction time.
- Energy: A good night’s sleep helps you have the energy to exercise. When you’re sleep deprived, you might be less active during the day and have less energy for workouts.
- Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Engaging in calming activities like reading or taking a warm bath before bed.
- Consistent Sleep Schedule: Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
- Muscle Recovery: Sleep helps muscles repair and build, especially after exercise.
Consumption/Immunity
- Eating Habits: Avoid heavy meals before bed.
- Vices: Avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol before bed.
- Immune System Function: Poor sleep can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
If you can relate to many of the items listed above, you may need to improve your sleep for a healthier mind and healthier body. Sleep is necessary for preserving both the physical and mental health of humans. Small changes can have a big impact on your life. A better quality of life is the goal, right?
Ashley LaMorte is a nationally certified fitness instructor and has been in the fitness industry close to a decade. Over the years, she has gotten the opportunity to instruct group X boot camps at gyms and train private clients from all walks of life, all over the Bay Area. She now has her own mobile fitness business LaMorte Lift. Learn more at LaMorteLift.com.
