Everyone feels better after a good night’s sleep. But did you know that you need sleep so that you can function at your optimal level both physically and mentally? For example, a good sleep helps boost the strength and effectiveness of your immune system, which in turn helps prevent you from getting sick and helps your body heal from illness if you do.
Like any other muscle in your body, your brain needs to recuperate with a good sleep each night. Without good sleep, you brain won’t be able to consolidate any events of the day into lasting memories, you won’t be able to think clearly the next day, and over time, your ability to concentrate and recall old memories will begin to fade.
So a good sleep isn’t just a good feeling…a good sleep is good for you. Without a good sleep, you simply cannot function at your optimal level.
To get started, make sure your bedroom tonight is free from distractions, and you only use it for sleeping, not watching TV or checking email. For example:
- Make sure the room is dark.
- Make sure the room is quiet.
- Set the temperature to a nice cool and comfortable level.
- Sleep on a good mattress.
- Consider having something in the room that generates a steady and quiet noise like the hum of an air conditioner or a fan.
References:
- Bonnet MH, et al. Treatment of insomnia in adults. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from: http://www.uptodate.com/home.
- Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep.
- Insomnia fact sheet. WomensHealth.gov. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from: http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/insomnia.html.
- Sleep-wake disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from: http://www.psychiatryonline.org.
- What is insomnia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Retrieved October 3, 2018 from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/inso#.
Note:
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