by Hope Zvara | Oct 27, 2022 | Lifestyle
Sleep is often viewed as a necessary evil. We know we need it, but sometimes it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day to get enough shut-eye. This can be due to work, social obligations, or our general busyness.
But what if we told you that sleep is one of the best things you can do for your overall health? That’s right; there are many benefits to getting a good night’s sleep beyond just feeling rested. The recommended amount of sleep for adults is 7-9 hours per night, but a recent survey shows nearly one-third of Americans are not getting the recommended amount.
In this article, we’ll explore ten reasons sleep is excellent for overall health. By the end, you’ll see that the benefits of sleep go way beyond just feeling rested.
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10 Reasons Why Sleep Is Great For Your Overall Health
1. Sleep boosts your immune system
When you catch a cold or the flu, one of the first things your doctor will tell you to do is get plenty of rest. That’s because sleep plays a crucial role in immunity. A lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to illness and prolong the duration of an illness if you do happen to get sick.
2. Sleep improves your mental health
Sleep is essential for a healthy mind. A good night’s sleep can help you feel more alert and productive during the day and improve your mood. A lack of sleep, on the other hand, can lead to irritability, anxiety, and depression.
3. Sleep helps you maintain a healthy weight
If you’re trying to lose weight, getting enough sleep is key. Sleep deprivation can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite, leading to increased hunger and cravings. On the other hand, getting enough sleep can help keep these hormones balanced and minimize late-night snacking.
4. Sleep reduces stress
Feeling stressed? Getting some extra shut-eye may help. Sleep allows your body to recover from the day’s events and can help reduce stress levels.
5. Sleep enhances brain function
Sleep is essential for brain health. During sleep, your brain consolidates memories and processes information you’ve learned during the day. A lack of sleep can interfere with these processes and lead to problems with memory, focus, and concentration.
6. Sleep lowers your risk of accidents
Whether driving a car or operating machinery, getting enough sleep is crucial. Fatigue can impair your judgment and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
7. Sleep improves athletic performance
Getting enough sleep is essential for peak performance if you’re an athlete. Sleep helps your body recover from the physical demands of exercise and can improve your energy levels, coordination, and stamina.
8. Sleep boosts your energy levels
Feeling tired all the time? You might need more sleep. A good night’s sleep can help you feel more energetic during the day. And if you’re struggling to get through the day with just a few hours of sleep, napping can also be beneficial. Make sure you don’t nap for too long, as this can interfere with nighttime sleep.
9. Sleep improves your skin health
Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Lack of sleep can lead to wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, and a dull complexion. So if you want to keep your skin looking its best, ensure you’re getting enough zzz’s.
10. Sleep strengthens your heart
In addition to all of the other benefits, sleep is also good for your heart. A lack of sleep can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. So make sure you’re getting enough sleep to keep your heart healthy.
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Natural Remedies To Induce Sleep
Herbal properties have been used for centuries to help with several ailments, including helping people fall asleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you can try a few natural remedies.
Herbal tea: Chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm tea are all helpful for sleep.
Essential oils: Lavender oil is a popular choice for inducing sleep. You can add a few drops of lavender oil to your diffuser or your bathtub before bedtime.
Relaxation techniques: Techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help relax the body and mind and prepare you for sleep. You can also try vaping Delta 8 THC Vape Carts to help you relax.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Enough Sleep?
If you’re not getting enough sleep, you may be putting your health at risk. A lack of sleep can lead to a number of problems, including:
- Increased stress levels:
- Anxiety and depression
- Weight gain
- Memory problems
- Poor concentration and focus
- Increased risk of accidents
- Heart disease and stroke
So make sure you get enough sleep every night to protect your health and well-being.
by Hope Zvara | Jan 17, 2022 | Lifestyle
We are at our greatest when we are well. We are tempted to stay on the couch, consume junk food, watch TV, or check social media. But is it that easy to stay healthy?
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Changes are required to sustain a healthy lifestyle. You may find it tough to adapt at first, but you will be convinced once you see the difference. Let’s find out how to live a healthy lifestyle with a few simple changes.
Choose A Healthy Diet
It may be challenging to choose a healthy diet, but you will achieve it with a bit of effort. The first step is to eat more fruits and vegetables; you may acquire them at your local farmer’s market. Consume legumes, nuts, seeds, lean meat, and whole grains to help maintain a healthy digestive system.
When eating out, pick dishes cooked with fresh ingredients. Enjoy dinner without your phone or TV. Also, we are what we eat. We need to eat healthy to stay healthy.
Keep Active
We spend lots of time indoors, typically behind a computer for hours. Getting up and moving is one of the first measures towards health. What important is that you are moving your body, training your muscles, and greasing your joints.
Physical activity can help improve symptoms of numerous diseases. It can aid with decreased muscle tone and can be used to treat conditions like plantar fasciitis. If you have such issues, you can always investigate alternative treatment options. You can have a foot massage, foot spa, or foot roller. All of these devices are developed to relax tense muscles and relieve pain.
Hydrate Well
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of poor health. We inhibit our organs and systems from working correctly by not drinking enough water.
Eight glasses of water each day is the minimum suggested. Be careful not to drink too much tea, caffeine, or soda, or your body might regret it. Some of these drinks are diuretic, aggravating dehydration. Sugary foods increase the risk of diabetes and hypertension. Water quenches our thirst and hydrates us. That’s it. We also perform better when well hydrated.
Getting 7-8 Hours Of Sleep
Our bodies have a circadian rhythm. We are made to be active during the day and sleep at night. We tend to work late and sleep late nowadays; we spend more time staring at devices and complaining of insomnia. Sleep deprivation can lead to chronic health issues and decreased performance.
The apparent option is to get the recommended 7–8 hours of sleep per night. Sleep hygiene is also essential. For example, never eat a big meal before bed. Your body will be too busy digesting all of that meal to sleep. Prevent spending far too much time on your smartphone or watching TV before bedtime. Finally, make sure your space isn’t too hot or too dry. This is something I teach all of my truck drivers with Mother Trucker Yoga when it comes to truck driver health.
Let Go Of Being Occupied
This is perhaps one of the most critical elements in chronic illness. We’ve gotten used to working 24/7, no matter what. We spend a little less time outside and are always connected. While we should value technology, moderation is the key to healthy living, as is it important to enjoy things such as alcohol in moderation. If you feel you need help, Sunshine Behavioral Health can help you.
Physical fun is a great way to stay fit and happy mentally. Instead of perusing social networks and feeling left out, do something when you come home. Go for a walk, play tennis, or swim. Being busy is not glamorous, and it will not make you feel well.
Work effectively and moderately in balance, reduce your stress and remain active. Also, remember to have fun because it’s a great way to relax. Remember it’s the small simple change that leads to the big results in your life you are looking for.
by hope | Aug 12, 2021 | Lifestyle
Chronic back pain is among the common ailments experienced by one in every ten Americans. It can be sudden or last months to years. Sometimes, the pain may disappear, bringing you temporary relief, then comes back, causing frustration. Apart from the pain, you may also experience difficulty standing straight and back stiffness. Chronic back pain may result from cleaning the house, extreme workouts, sports injuries, or diseases like arthritis. If you’re dealing with chronic back pain, here are a few things you should do.
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Keep moving
Chronic back pain makes it difficult to stand or move around, but it’s the first thing you should do. If you maintain a sedentary lifestyle, the muscles around your back and the spine become weak. In turn, weak muscles give less support to your spine resulting in long-term pain. Try keeping up with your average level of activity, but don’t strain too much; walk around the block, go to the park with your furry best friend, and use the stairs often.
Sleep better
Sleeping when you’re experiencing back pain can be uncomfortable and difficult, especially when turning. However, if you don’t get adequate sleep, you risk creating a vicious cycle of back pain because it gets worse. Additionally, a poor sleeping position may aggravate your back pain; try sleeping on your side and place a pillow between your knees to relieve the strain on your spine by keeping it in a neutral position. When lying on your back, place the pillow under your knees. Most importantly, remember to sleep on a firm and comfortable mattress.
Good posture
Slumping your back causes a lot of harm to your back because it creates a strain. If you’re already experiencing back pain, this will only make it worse. Suppose you sit for long periods, either while working or studying, avoid slumping over the keyboard. Instead, sit upright, relax your shoulders and ensure your back gains support from the chair’s back. Ensure your feet remain flat on the floor and consider supporting your lower back by placing a rolled towel or pillow between it and the seat.
Seek medical help
Suppose you’ve tried every home remedy to relieve chronic back pain, but nothing seems to work; seek medical attention. Back pain that lasts longer than twelve weeks may signify an underlying problem that needs medical treatment, especially if it prevents you from going about your daily activities or makes you feel numb. Your physician may suggest osteopathy, where an osteopath can perform techniques to restore function and relieve pain by stretching and manipulating joints.
Heat or ice therapy
Regular practice of heat or ice therapy on painful back areas may give you relief or reduce inflammation. Wrap an ice pack with your towel and place it on the painful part of your back for about twenty minutes every day. After a few days, begin heat therapy with a warm pack, heating pad, and warm baths.
Chronic back pain can hinder you from going about your daily routines as usual. While this may be frustrating, there are things you can do to bring relief. Practice moves for back care, and if the pain persists, seek help from your physician.
