Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being. If you are looking for a natural fix to your groggy days, sleep is the key. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. Sleeping is a basic human need, like eating, drinking, and breathing. Like these other needs, sleeping is a vital part of the foundation for good health and well-being throughout your lifetime. Sleep deficiency can lead to physical and mental health problems, injuries, loss of productivity, and behavioral issues.
The way you feel while you’re awake depends on what happens while you’re sleeping. Believe it or not, during sleep, your body is hard at work making repairs. Sleep allows your body to regulate and support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development.
The damage from sleep deficiency can carry over for weeks at a time. Lack of sleep can result in dangers such as falling asleep at the wheel or visual disturbances. For another example, ongoing sleep deficiency can exacerbate any underlying health problems and make you more susceptible to illness. It also can affect how well you think, react, work, learn, and get along with others.
Sleep Deficiency
People that do not get enough sleep can endanger themselves and others. An individual’s ability to function properly throughout the day relies on the quality and quantity of their sleep. For some, sleeping six hours a night is effective for their body. Others may require eight hours or more to feel fully rested for the day. The right amount of sleep is tailored to your body and your body only. Every person has different genes that allow them to sleep on their own time. Many people take naps during the “afternoon slump” and wake up refreshed for the rest of the day. Others just need eight hours of sleep a night.
Sleep deficiency can interfere with work, social interactions, or emotional and behavioral health. Many people experience slow reaction times and foggy memories when they are sleep-deprived. Lack of sleep may also lead to a weakened immune system, resulting in constant illnesses. Driving while sleep-deprived is as dangerous as drinking and driving. Our inhibitions are altered in both scenarios, and our reactions are not quick enough to be behind the wheel of a car.
Sleep deficiency is a common health problem in the United States. Nearly 40 percent of adults report unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least once a month. Also, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders. The signs and symptoms of sleep deficiency may differ between children and adults. Children who are sleep deficient might be overly active and have problems paying attention. They also might misbehave, and their school performance can suffer. Both children and parents may see a decline in their social interactions due to irritation and frustration.
Circadian Rhythm
The body has a 24-hour biological clock that controls our circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that regulate such things as our body temperature, eating habits, and hormone releases. As humans, we are wired to wake up with the sun and sleep when it goes down.
Our internal clocks run off of our genes, programmed to respond to external stimuli. The environment plays a big factor in our sleep-wake cycles. It is important to allow your eyes to take in natural light rather than artificial light from our phones and computers.
When our eyes are exposed to light, there is a release of the hormone melatonin.
Melatonin is the sleep hormone which regulates our body’s natural clock, telling us when to wake and when to sleep. Light is a component that affects our circadian rhythm, but light from electronic devices, especially at night, can confuse our biological clocks. Caffeine and excessive stimulation can disrupt your sleep rhythm and give your body false wakefulness cues. These changes can cause sleep disorders and may lead to other chronic health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. Understanding circadian rhythms may help lead to treatments for jet lag, obesity, and adjusting people to long shifts at night.
When you are asleep, your body is replenishing its energy and working to support healthy brain function. While asleep, your blood pressure and heart rate fall. Your parasympathetic system controls your body, and your heart does not work as hard as it does when you are awake. Waking up frequently, or jolting awake from a nightmare increases blood pressure and heart rate.
In addition to the physical health benefits of sleep, there are many mental health benefits, as well. Proper sleep helps motivation, happiness, and creativity. Interactions are often less tense and communication is more clear and effective. When one does experience lack of sleep, the consequences are more than surface level. Sleep deprivation, like insomnia, can damage mental health and lead to more severe problems, such as bipolar disorder or addiction. Some people may turn to alcohol or other drugs to assist them in sleeping. There are alternative, natural remedies to help one sleep. If you are struggling with your mental or physical health due to sleep deprivation, talk to your doctor. Do not attempt to self-medicate. If the problem persists, there is always help available. Rancho Milagro is a treatment center geared towards healing the entire person. Located in Temecula, California, Rancho Milagro is ready to care for you and support your unique recovery journey. Call us at (951) 526-4582 if you or a loved one are experiencing mental health problems.