How Sleep Impacts Health and Wellbeing

Many of us don't get the amount of deep, restful sleep that we need. After all, when days are packed from start to finish, many of us sacrifice sleep as a way to get things done. However, over the long term, this habit can take its toll. Prioritizing your sleep will help your life be better in a number of ways. Zensah can help you get started on the right foot with its Calming Sleep Socks.

Why Sleep Is Important

Sleep is important for a number of reasons. It's not just a matter of allowing your body time to rest and recover from everyday life, but the amount of sleep you get also impacts your ability to concentrate, to perform home and work tasks, and it can impact your mood and your overall physical health and well-being. According to the Sleep Foundation, lack of sleep can also lead to some chronic health issues, and if you sleep sporadically, your continually fluctuating sleep schedule can make it difficult to get a solid 7 to 9 hours of sleep.

Sleep and Exercise

Many people find that they sleep much better when they have a regular exercise routine. When you're exercising, sleep is all the more important because it gives your body time to recover from physical activity. If you're looking for a way to encourage and motivate yourself to stay focused on health and wellness goals, consider posting your successes online via social media. You can use free online tools to help you resize image for Instagram and get your posts up quickly. Not only will you be accountable, but you'll also be motivating others.

Troubleshooting Sleep Issues

Of course, it’s one thing to know you need a certain amount of sleep every night - doing it consistently is another. According to Very Well Mind, many people have problems falling asleep or staying asleep, in which case you may want to make some alterations to your sleeping quarters. Your best bet is a dark room that's nice and cool. Use blackout curtains or a sleep mask if necessary. If ambient noise is distracting, consider a fan or a white noise machine that can help drown out external sounds. Try to avoid having electronics in your bedroom, and don't use your tablet or phone immediately before going to bed.

Medical Sleep Problems

If you and/or your partner have sleep issues, it could be because one or both of you have sleep apnea. This is characterized by snoring, and in severe cases, a person may stop breathing several times a night. This requires intervention from a sleep disorder clinic. In addition to preventing you from getting appropriate rest, there's also the potential that it could signal a serious health condition. Your physician may treat you with medication or teach you how to use a CPAP or BiPAP breathing machine. While it sounds onerous, you’ll get used to it quickly, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel with adequate rest.

Use of Sleep Aids

In some instances, your primary care provider may suggest supplements, over-the-counter, or prescription medications help you get back into a regular sleep pattern. For example, peri-menopausal women may have hot flashes that keep them awake, in which case a supplement like Black Cohash may help. If your legs are restless, a medicine like Gabapentin may be prescribed. Sometimes natural remedies, like Sleepy Time Tea or melatonin can do the trick, and other times you may be prescribed a short-term sleeping pill. Of course, before proceeding with any medication or regimen, consult your doctor. Zensah is not a medical company and cannot provide advice or health information.

In addition to ensuring that you get enough Zs, also keep in mind that energy drinks, caffeine, and too much alcohol can all impact your ability to get restful, regenerative sleep. Pay attention to how your body feels and keep a sleep journal, or use a fitness tracker to monitor your sleep patterns as a way to improve this important part of your life.

Check out The Calming Sleep Sock

Zensah is home to The Calming Sleep Sock, a fuzzy, ultra-soft, cozy sock designed to help you fall asleep faster and get a better, more restful sleep. Socks are thermoregulating, staying cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. Shop the Calming Sleep Sock (and see the NEW colors) here!

Research and Writing CREDIT:

Jenny Miller
https://stopndd.org/
Putting an End to Nature-Deficit Disorder