A good night’s sleep allows your body and mind to recharge and recover from exertion.
TIRED of staring at your ceiling in the dark, tossing and turning all night? You are not alone. A recent survey revealed that nine out of 10 Malaysians suffer from one or more sleeping problems in their lifetimes.
You can blame it on stress which keeps your mind active, but there are many other factors that may disrupt your slumber.
These include an irregular sleep schedule, poor sleeping habits, illnesses and pain, certain medications and sleep disorders.
Are you getting enough sleep?
You spend about a third of your life sleeping, with the average adult needing between seven to nine hours of sleep a day. A good night’s sleep is not a luxury, it is a necessity – allowing your body and mind to recharge and recover from exertion.
Why is sleep important?
There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep, waking up energised and feeling ready to tackle the day.
Getting enough sleep can help to boost concentration, improve athletic performance, promote skin health, enhance mood, relieve stress, regulate blood pressure, strengthen immunity and aid in maintaining a healthy weight.
Effects of sleep deprivation
A few hours of sleep loss each night puts a major damper on your quality of life beyond daytime drowsiness.
Regularly skimping on sleep can have cumulative impacts, which can be far more severe than anticipated. It can interfere with your cognitive abilities and eventually cause reduced concentration, impaired memory and anxiety.
Being sleep-deprived will also put you at an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.
How to sleep better?
Synthetic sleeping pills may seem like a quick band-aid. They can help you fall asleep but can also cause several side effects including prolonged drowsiness the next day, as well as nausea and dry mouth.
Other risks include drug dependence, withdrawal symptoms and rebound insomnia.
For a sustainable solution, try herbal remedies to calm your racing thoughts and ease yourself into a restful sleep.
Unlike synthetic pills, these herbs are non-habit-forming and do not cause any unpleasant side effects.
Getting adequate sleep is essential for your health and well-being. Nonetheless, the quality of your sleep is just as important. Sleep better and start each day afresh and energised.
This informational article is brought to you by VitaHealth.
For enquiries, contact VitaHealth at 1800 183 288.
