A good night\u2019s sleep is something we take for granted until we can\u2019t get one.\u00a0 It\u2019s common for humans to adopt this attitude and the area of health is where we most often fail to be proactive.\u00a0 You should know that the importance of good sleep to good health is seriously underestimated.<\/p>\n
The Sleep Council research shows that 40% of people in the UK suffer with sleep problems.\u00a0 That means that nearly half of the people reading this blog article will be interested in suggestions as to how they can improve the quality or duration of their nightly rest.\u00a0 As well as those who actively suffer, there will be people whose relatives struggle; if this is a partner, the sleep issues that affect them can end up in sleep disruption for the person sharing their bed.<\/p>\n
People usually want a quick fix to their sleep problem, a pill or a simple habit that can be adopted that will reset the sleep cycle.\u00a0 However, achieving good sleep is like following a recipe and needing to combine many ingredients.\u00a0 Some people use alcohol or recreational drugs which they believe help them sleep.\u00a0 It is not that simple.\u00a0 These types of aid are quickly habit-forming which leads to other problems; research has shown they have serious adverse effects on sleep quality, (see \u2018How to Improve Your Sleep\u2019, below).\u00a0 Something adults struggle with is that this change in sleep pattern appears to come on suddenly; in fact, it probably emerges gradually over many years. \u00a0Everyone remembers being able to sleep like we did as a child and into our early adulthood; when our head touched the pillow, we simply fell asleep.<\/p>\n
The answer to the sleep dilemma involves a person making themselves aware of the many factors that lead to sounder sleep.\u00a0 They need to examine their own sleep habits to work out what they might be doing that are making things difficult for them to sleep well.\u00a0 Sometimes concerns and mental health issues affect the way a person sleeps but someone can struggle with getting a good night\u2019s sleep without this sort of problem being the root cause.\u00a0 Some poor sleep is caused by physical health issues, like sleep apnoea<\/a>.\u00a0 Also, research has shown that low sleep quality can lead to health problems like poor immunity, heart problems, weight gain, depression, dementia, even a pre-disposition to developing cancer.\u00a0 There is a well-accepted belief that a person needs less sleep as they age.\u00a0 This is now disputed.\u00a0 In his book, \u2018Why We Sleep\u2019, Matthew Walker, quotes examples of how the health problems we suffer as we age, maybe even ageing itself, are rooted in the diminishing quality of our sleep as we age.\u00a0 It is not that we sleep less well because we age, in fact, we age because we sleep less well<\/p>\n The science behind sleep and sleep hygiene is probably a lot more in depth than you have considered.\u00a0 However, it helps to start with the basics.\u00a0 How old is your bed and is it comfortable? Is your room dark or is there lots of light coming in through the curtains\/blinds at night?\u00a0 Is the temperature in your bedroom too hot or too cold? Do you have a television in your bedroom that you watch while lying in bed?\u00a0 Do you spend hours in the evening in contact with other blue light, such as from your mobile phone?\u00a0 Do you like drinks heavy in caffeine and drink these into the afternoon or the evening?<\/p>\n The links to the articles and videos below will give you more information on the physiology of sleep, what benefits we get from sleep, what we can do to help us experience better sleep and where we can go for further information.<\/p>\n \u2018Why We Sleep\u2019<\/a> by Matthew Walker, (Youtube video)<\/p>\n \u20188 Common Reasons you\u2019re Struggling to Sleep at Night\u2019<\/a> by Malia Jacobson and Victoria Joy on Red<\/p>\n \u201917 Proven Tips to Sleep Better at Night\u2019<\/a> by Rudi Mawer on Healthline<\/p>\n \u2018How to Sleep Better\u2019<\/a> by Melinda Smith, Lawrence Robinson, and Robert Segal on HelpGuide<\/p>\n \u2018How to Improve Your Sleep\u2019<\/a> by Matthew Walker (YouTube video)<\/p>\n The Sleep Council website<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018The Importance of Sleep: 8 Scientific Health Benefits of Sleep + Sleeping Tips\u2019<\/a> by The Health Nerd (YouTube video)<\/p>\n \u201910 Benefits of a Good Night\u2019s Sleep\u2019<\/a> by Perk (YouTube video)<\/p>\n \u2018How Does Caffeine Affect Sleep?<\/a>\u2019 by Matthew Walker (YouTube video)<\/p>\n