Sleep is a vital function1 that helps your body and mind to rejuvenate, allowing you to wake up refreshed and aware. Most individuals require between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. Children and teens require much more sleep, especially if they are under the age of five. Work schedules, day-to-day pressures, a noisy bedroom environment, and medical problems can all interfere with getting adequate sleep.
Taking care of oneself is one of the most effective methods to preserve your health. If you want to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy your old age without getting injected with a variety of injections, then modify your daily routine since even the smallest beneficial change may have a significant impact.
The Science of Sleep
An internal “body clock”4 governs your sleep cycle, determining when you are weary and ready for bed, as well as when you are refreshed and awake. The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that this clock follows. Adenosine levels rise during the day as you get weary, and the body breaks it down during sleep.
The circadian rhythm is also influenced by light. As natural light fades in the evening, the body produces melatonin, a drowsiness-inducing hormone. When the sun rises in the morning, the body produces cortisol, a hormone that promotes energy and alertness.
7 Tips to not do after 9 pm
1. Having a Serious Conversation:
Stress, worry, or disagreement shortly before bedtime is a formula for tossing and turning. It may not be easy to keep emotions in check after a long day, especially around those we care about. However, consider sleeping on it instead of having an argument or attempting to make major decisions just before bed. You will feel more refreshed and prepared for critical discussions after a full night’s sleep.
2. Thriller Films to Watch:
Similar to avoiding screens, watching scary or exhilarating movies or shows before bed can cause your brain to feel wide awake, making falling asleep more difficult. Furthermore, thrilling, suspenseful shows are more likely to keep you interested for more than one episode. Instead, keep your bedtime watching the light on or avoid using devices before bed.
3. Scroll through your phone:
According to the Sleep Foundation, our bodies have a natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle that regulates hormone production. We produce cortisol in the morning, which wakes us up. Having said that, most fluorescent and LED lights emit blue light, which can delay or even prevent melatonin synthesis.
Instead of turning on the TV or your phone late at night, consider reading a book or keeping a diary. These hobbies can help you unwind without the blue light that can get in the way of a good night’s sleep.
4. Enjoy a Nightcap:
You don’t have to abstain from drinking to sleep better. In truth, there are certain health benefits to having a glass of wine every now and again. However, although a glass of wine may make you feel tired, drinking too close to bedtime might result in shallower sleep and tossing and turning all night. Alcohol, especially in high doses, has been shown to decrease our REM sleep cycle, which is the deep sleep that leaves us feeling the most rested.
5. Exercising:
To be clear, frequent physical activity is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health. It can help enhance mood, decrease the risk of chronic illness, and increase longevity. However, the timing of exercise is critical. A hard activity late at night raises stress hormones in the body and increases blood flow, which is not ideal for falling asleep quickly and peacefully. Instead, consider doing out early in the day, even if it’s only a quick stroll around the block when you get up.
6. Drinking a lot of Water:
It is critical to stay hydrated. It can help keep your brain healthy, enhance your skin, and eliminate pollutants from your system. However, drinking too much immediately before bed might cause you to wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, disrupting your sleep. Instead, close to sleep, try leisurely drinking and lying off the water.
7. Job:
With so many of us working from home rather than in an office, it can be not easy to establish appropriate work boundaries. However, working too much might be harmful to your health. Working more than 55 hours a week, according to new research, increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and death. Instead of returning to your emails or work messages after supper, take the time to rest and decompress.
Maintain excellent sleep hygiene:
Maintain good sleep hygiene by following a regular sleep schedule and establishing a sleep-friendly atmosphere. This can help you prevent shift work sleep disorder, a typical circadian rhythm issue that can cause both insomnia and excessive drowsiness in night shift workers.
Because light disturbs sleep, you should avoid it as much as possible when sleeping during the day. Using blackout curtains, an eye mask, a white noise machine or app, and avoiding the use of electronic gadgets before bed can all help you achieve a good night’s sleep.
Conclusion
It almost goes without saying, except that it is critical: You must prioritize sleep in order to keep your body healthy and your mind bright when treating patients.
Although it may be tempting to join friends for lunch on occasion to maintain your social life, it is vital to understand how deviating from your sleep pattern might affect your health. Chronic sleep deprivation has significant health consequences for health, productivity, and safety.
