Sleep is one of the most important functions of a human being’s survival. So, you have to make sure you get enough of it!
Sleep is something that every human being requires for daily functionality. Despite the common phrase, “Sleep is for the weak”, it’s important to note that all human beings require sleep to lead a healthy life. With the current lifestyles, getting an adequate amount of rest has proven to be difficult due to erratic work schedules and need to find the perfect work-life balance. But it’s important to remember that if you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be able to do either of the two things.
Sleep not only affects your physical health but also affects your mental health. A lack of rest can lead to psychological disorders like anxiety and depression. Your body needs rest on a daily basis to recuperate from the day’s events. An average adult requires around 7–9 hours of sleep to feel refreshed and ready to work the next morning. The secret to a happy life is as simple as getting a good night’s rest!
Did you know that womxn are more likely to struggle with insomnia? It’s true! Studies have shown that womxn are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia and this is all because of changes in hormones. For those of you who don’t know what insomnia is, it’s the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause affect a womxn’s sleep cycle therefore also causing issues with moods and behavioural changes.
Not getting enough sleep can bring about a bundle of issues in your life like impaired thinking which makes you more accident-prone, and mood fluctuations on a day to day basis. If you collect enough sleep debt, (Sleep debt is the difference between the amount of sleep you should be getting and the amount you actually get. It’s a deficit that grows every time we skim some extra minutes off our nightly slumber) it can lead to serious ailments like type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Daily functions of life are associated with the way you sleep. A good sleeper eats fewer calories per day. Studies have shown that those with poor sleeping habits have bigger appetites, it’s also been proven that sleep deprivation is said to disrupt the daily fluctuations in appetite hormones and is believed to cause poor appetite regulation. Sleep is important for concentration and productivity. A healthy sleep cycle can positively impact cognition, productivity, retention and performance. Studies done have proved that restful sleep has led to higher levels of problem-solving and better performance in adults.
So now that it’s proven that sleep is one of the governing factors in your life, here are our tips on how to improve your sleep cycle or sleep pattern.
1. Do not nap during the day, or after 3 PM, this ensures that you’re tired enough to hit the bed early.
2. Work out 5 hours before you go to bed. Physical activity such as workouts or any form of strenuous exercise ensures that you expel all the extra energy you have stored up.
3. Screen off an hour before you go to bed. Screens can be super distracting to have on before you go to bed, so ensure that you have some downtime without your phone, laptop or tab an hour before you go to bed.
4. Take a warm bath. If you take a nice warm shower before you sleep, it helps relax your body and puts you in that space where you’re ready to jump into your cosy bed!
5. Practice Yoga or meditation. Yoga and meditation have proven to help calm the mind and relax the body, which in turn helps you go to sleep.
So now, you know the importance of beauty sleep. As womxn, we need to be more mindful of the amount of rest we give our bodies, as it’s been proven that womxn are more susceptible to sleep-related issues. A good night’s rest can change your whole life. For that, you need to be ready to make some changes and sacrifices so that you lead a healthy and happy life.
If you have any tips on beating insomnia or if you would like to share your bedtime routine please feel free to drop a comment in the box below and we’ll chat! For all you beautiful womxn out there, Fuzia is the right platform for you. It’s a community of womxn supporting one another to be the best and achieve the best. It’s a safe space to voice your thoughts and opinions too. So sign up now, and download our app! Check out our blog on the best social media platforms for the creative by clicking here! Author: Sukanya Mohanty
Womxn — A spelling of “women” that is more inclusive and progressive.