Sleep Well, Live Well: Exploring The Link Between Quality Sleep And Well-Being
Decades of studies have shown that getting enough sleep is essential for both our physical and mental health, even though researchers are still trying to fully understand the nature of sleep and why it is so crucial to our wellbeing. Among many other things, sleep is essential for memory consolidation and other brain activities, boosting the immune system, promoting recovery from illness or injury, and lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
What is Sleep? Importance of Sleep
Standard definitions of sleep include altered states of awareness or bodily and mental conditions characterised by reduced nervous system activity, physical relaxation, and suspension of consciousness. The concept of sleep may appear straightforward because everyone is aware of the distinction between being awake and asleep. However, the phrase is less defined scientifically and medically, and there is still a great deal we don't know about the phenomena.
Decades of studies have shown that getting enough sleep is essential for both our physical and mental health, even though researchers are still trying to fully understand the nature of sleep and why it is so crucial to our wellbeing.
What transpires in the brain when you sleep?
Electrical signalling is used by the brain's neuronal cells to transmit and receive information throughout the body and brain. These electrical signals start to form wave-like patterns throughout the transition into sleep, with various wave patterns being related to various phases of sleep. The brain enters the relatively quick alpha waves when the body unwinds. The signalling changes into slower theta waves when a person drifts off, then settles into the deepest stage of slow wave sleep.
What health issues have been connected to sleep?
One of the most widely accepted explanations for why sleep is so crucial is that it's necessary for the body to develop, heal, and regenerate. Sleep is essential for memory consolidation, sustaining healthy immunological function, and promoting recovery from illness or injury.
Additionally, there is mounting proof that sleep facilitates the brain's removal of protein and cellular waste that would otherwise accumulate and harm the brain, resulting in inflammation and cell death.
Several sleep disorders, including narcolepsy, as well as the harmful consequences of sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality on human long-term health have been recognised by scientists during the past century.
What does excellent sleep hygiene entail?
It might be difficult to maintain excellent sleep hygiene in the present day, where we are surrounded by light-up devices and all kinds of obligations and entertainment that demand our attention. This can result in sleep loss and poor sleep quality. Establishing a bedtime ritual that aids in winding down for the evening, limiting screen time before bed, keeping the bedroom dark and cool, and going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day are all examples of good sleep hygiene practises. These techniques can enhance overall sleep quality, which benefits general health.
Even after decades of research, there is still much to learn about sleep. It is unclear what sleep truly is or why our bodies and brains require it, but it is certain that sleep is crucial to our health. Many people will benefit from greater health as a result of ongoing study into sleep's function in our lives and how to improve our sleep and sleeping environment.
