Our super-fast life comes with a handful of responsibilities – managing work timelines, everyday errands, family commitments and more. So, to juggle it all, there’s an essential aspect of our health which is often sacrificed, our sleep. Good sleep is central to overall health. It lets the body restore itself, leaving you refreshed when you wake up. On the other hand, there can be many lack of sleep side effects that can take a toll on both mental and physical health.
How does sleep affect your health?
The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends sleeping for about 7 to 9 hours a night. It’s quite a surprise that 1 in 3 adults do not get adequate sleep. The fact is you just cannot function at your best, if you are underslept or tired. Sleep enables you to think better, react faster and focus more. These are a few lack of sleep side effects –
1. Weight gain
One of the sleep deprivation effects is weight gain. Basically, the chemicals that send signals to the body that you are full, tend to go off balance because of insufficient sleep. That is why, despite having enough to eat, your hunger pangs rise.
2. Heart problems
Sleep deprivation may lead to increased blood pressure and higher levels of chemicals linked to inflammation, both of which play a major role in heart disease.
3. Poor cognition
Another common late night sleep side effects is poor cognition. Those who do not sleep well find it really hard to focus, fulfill their tasks, solve problems and are even prone to make more errors.
4. Weakened immunity
Science says sleep deprivation affects the body’s immune response to viruses and other harmful infections. Thus, you are likely to fall sick more often.
5. Mood swings
If you have been moody, easily irritable, overwhelmed or temperamental, these could be less sleep side effects. In fact, improper sleep can be a causative factor behind stress or depression.
Now, the big question is how to sleep better at night?
To get the most out of the restorative benefits of sleep, it is imperative to sleep well every night. You can simply start by making changes in your diet and lifestyle. The following ways can be of great help in improving sleep quality –
- Stay consistent with your bedtime, go to bed at the same time each night
- Set the right bedroom environment, which should be quiet, dark and relaxing
- Keep electronic devices like your phone, laptop away from your bed
- Eat light at night
- Avoid taking caffeine before bedtime
- Indulge yourself in some physical activity everyday, so that you can fall asleep more easily
Additionally, certain supplements can also be beneficial. So, we want to bring to you nothing less than something that is proven to improve sleep quality – TrueBasics Ashwagandha. Scientifically formulated with one of the world’s best adaptogen, KSM-66 Ashwagandha, this supplement is proven to significantly improve sleep quality. Moreover, it helps in reducing stress and promoting calmness in the mind.
So getting enough sleep is one of the best ways to make every day of your life enjoyable and productive.