🌜 Beyond Counting Sheep: The Art of Healthy Rest

Hello dear Readers 👋👋,

Sleep

It’s is a daily ritual, yet it remains a fascinating enigma.

We often hear Common Questions such as:

• How many hours should I be sleeping?

• What does the perfect sleep routine look like?

• What time should I wake up?

Or

Perhaps you've stumbled upon countless articles promising the "top 10 tips for better sleep." Initially, I considered a similar approach for today's piece.

But

Then I came across an interview with Stephanie Romiszewski, a sleep physiologist, and Stephen Barlett where I got my mind blown and I didn't want to leave you on snooze for this one.

I hope nobody is reading this, but if you are please keep this to yourself.

[Plagiarising Steve Barlett on this one]

Do you Relate to These?

The effects of poor sleep can be seen in our day-to-day activities.

For example, we can be stressed, develop anxiety and fatigue.

➤ Brain Fog

Ever experienced that foggy feeling after a night of tossing and turning?

It's not just a mental haze; it's the result of sleep deprivation wreaking havoc on your cognitive abilities.

Poor sleep quality impairs our attention, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

It leaves us feeling mentally sluggish, making it challenging to focus on tasks and perform at our best.

➤ Mood Swings and Irritability

Lack of sleep is a surefire way to turn even the most patient person into a short-tempered, irritable individual.

Sleep and emotional well-being are intricately linked.

When we don't get enough quality rest, our emotional regulation goes awry. 

We become more prone to mood swings, anxiety, and heightened stress levels.

Simple irritations that we might typically brush off suddenly feel insurmountable.

➤ Weakened Immune System

A robust immune system is our body's defense against illnesses. Yet, poor sleep quality weakens this defense mechanism.

Chronic sleep deprivation can compromise your immune system's ability to fend off viruses and bacteria.

This means you're more likely to catch that cold or flu making the rounds at the office, leaving you sidelined when you could be thriving.

➤ Out of the Blue Cravings

Have you ever noticed that after a restless night, your cravings for sugary and high-calorie foods seem insatiable?

Poor sleep quality disrupts the hormonal balance that regulates appetite, making us more prone to overeating and weight gain.

This can create a cycle where poor sleep contributes to weight gain, which, in turn, can exacerbate sleep problems.

Common Misconceptions About Sleep

Picture this: you're lying in bed, desperately trying to fall asleep, and your mind starts to wander.

You remember hearing some sleep tips from a friend, or maybe you read something online.

But wait—are those tips actually true? Or are they just more bedtime stories?