#TACTIX :: Sleep Keeps Us Healthy
Benefits of sleep
The reason many of us drink gallons of coffee, douse ourselves with energy drinks, and struggle to keep our eyes open throughout the day, is that many of us just don’t get enough sleep. Sleep keeps us healthy. According to the National Sleep Foundation more than 40 percent of adults experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month — with 20 percent reporting problem sleepiness a few days a week or more.
Sleep is as vital as regular exercise and a balanced diet
Sleep is essential to our well-being. Experts say you should aim to get between seven and eight hours of shut-eye each night. But what does all that sleep do for you? Plenty.
Reboots your immune system
Sleep helps keep us healthy by allowing the body to repair, regenerate, and recover. This includes the body’s immune system. With good quality sleep, your immune cells and proteins get the rest they need to fight off infections — like colds or the flu. When the body doesn’t get enough sleep, immune system cells don’t work as well, making it hard for your system to identify harmful bacteria and viruses in your body. The result being you could get sick more often.
Sharpens your brain and alertness
A good night’s sleep also helps make you feel energized and alert. This helps you focus and get things done throughout the day. When you are low on sleep, your brain has difficulty focusing and maintaining details. Tasks become difficult to complete, memories aren’t stored well, and the sluggishness that you feel can lead to falls, accidents, and bad decisions. It’s also easier to exercise when you’re energetic and alert.
Rest for a healthier heart
While you sleep, your blood pressure goes down, giving your heart and blood vessels a bit of a rest. Lack of sleep can cause your body to release cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers your heart to work harder possibly leading to high blood pressure, heart disease, or stroke.
Better sleep = better mood
Sleep helps your mind and body relax and recover from your day. That sound sleep also helps reduce stress and stress-related hormones. If you feel rested your energy levels increase, your mood stays more positive and you make better decisions. Refreshing slumber helps you hit the reset button on a bad day, improve your outlook on life, and be better prepared to meet challenges.
Get your zzzzzs please
Getting the proper amount of sleep keeps us healthy. Aim for seven to eight hours a night so your mind and body can fully reap all the benefits.
Also, while sleeping, the experts at Chiropractix say if you suffer from back or neck pain, no matter what sleep position you choose, keeping proper alignment of your spine is the most important part of the equation. Focus specifically on aligning your ears, shoulders, and hips. You can reduce any stress by using pillows (such as between your knees) to fill the gaps and help keep you aligned.
If you are having difficulty catching the proper amount of sleep a night, try creating a nighttime routine, like meditating, to get your mind and body relaxed. Cut back on caffeine and snacks before you go to bed. Avoid watching TV or staring at your smartphone or tablet — those social media alerts will all be there in the morning. Relax and have a good night!