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Sleep is a necessity for everyone. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to function properly and our immune system would weaken. There are many ways that one can sleep better and get the amount of sleep they need every night. Here are a few things that happen to a person’s body when they sleep.
The importance of sleep:
Getting enough sleep is important for your health for a variety of reasons. Sleep helps your body to recharge and repair itself, it can help to regulate your weight, and it can even help to protect you against diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and obesity.
What happens to the body when it lacks sleep:
Iron deficiency:
If you don’t get enough sleep, you may be more at risk of developing an iron deficiency. A lack of sleep can lead to a decrease in red blood cells, which can cause anemia. Anemia is a condition in which you don’t have enough red blood cells, which can lead to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. If you find out that you have anemia, your doctor may prescribe you chewable iron supplements to help you get your iron levels back up.
Poorer reflexes:
Lack of sleep can also lead to poorer reflexes and a weakened immune system. This can make you more susceptible to diseases and can also increase your risk of accidents.
Decreased brain activity:
If you don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to a decrease in brain activity. If the lack of sleep continues for too long, it can even result in hallucinations and delirium.
Poor quality of life:
Not getting enough sleep over an extended period of time may also result in a lower quality of life. If you don’t get enough sleep, you may experience frequent mood swings and irritability.
How to get a good night’s sleep:
Keep your bedroom dark and cool:
Light exposure, especially blue light, can affect your body’s circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep. This can cause your sleep cycle to suffer, which leads to poor quality sleep and possibly even insomnia. Do your best to avoid using your phone or tablet when in bed, as the light from these devices can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
Being uncomfortable can also affect your sleep. If you’re too hot or too cold, you may have a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep. Make sure your bedroom is cool and comfortable, and avoid working or using electronics in bed.
Create a relaxing environment:
Try adding candles or essential oils around your room for an effortless way to create a calm and tranquil atmosphere that will help you drift asleep much easier than usual. A nightly self-care habit like a three-step skincare routine can also help you mentally relax and get ready for bed. Use a candle warmer instead of an open flame to avoid the risk of fire.
Establish a routine:
A lack of routine could be one reason why you are not getting enough sleep at night. It would be helpful if you have a nightly ritual to prepare yourself to fall asleep at the same time every night. To do this, you could try exercising, reading a book, taking a bath, and limiting caffeine and alcohol before bed.
Exercising before bed can help relieve you of anxiety, therefore relaxing your body to help you fall asleep more effectively. Make sure you only do light exercises and do it at least one hour before bedtime, so that it doesn’t give you the opposite effect and keep you awake.
Reading a book before bed is a great way to relax your mind and body after a long day of work or school. Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, choose something that will be able to help calm down your mind so that you’re able to drift asleep smoothly.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol:
Although caffeine and alcohol can help you relax in the short term, they can actually have the opposite effect when consumed before bed. Caffeine is a stimulant and can keep you awake for hours after drinking it. Alcohol may make you feel tired at first, but it can actually disrupt your sleep cycle and cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.
You should also avoid eating heavy meals before bedtime because it could cause indigestion and heartburn that would interfere with your sleep. Instead, do your best to avoid eating within three hours of bedtime.
Conclusion:
Sleeping is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re able to function properly during the day. Not getting enough sleep can lead to a lower quality of life, fatigue, and a weakened immune system. It’s important to get a good night’s sleep every night so that you’re able to perform your best.
