HEALTHY HAPPY WILD

SLEEP – WHAT IS ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?

A very dear client of mine asked me this question last week, and so I wanted to unpack the answer in a very clear and uncomplicated way. As you all know by now, if you like digging a little deeper into the science behind these subjects, then I’m your gal! It’s where my inner geek shines amongst the neurons and metabolites, but for now, let’s get clear on the foundations of why we absolutely need QUALITY sleep every night.

Q. Anna, why exactly does everyone harp on about getting 8 hours of sleep when talking about health and illness? Aside from avoiding the obvious tiredness and clumsiness.

OK, I could rabbit on all week about the complex science behind sleep, however, for this article I am just going to break it down into the most important bitesize pieces. First and foremost – sleep is one of the most crucial factors in maintaining overall health and well-being. It plays a significant role in a variety of physical, mental, and emotional processes, and therefore deserves our utmost respect.

Physical health: Adequate sleep is essential for physical rejuvenation and repair. During sleep, the body produces growth hormones that aid in muscle repair and tissue regeneration. It also helps regulate the immune system, reducing the risk of illnesses and infections.

Mental health: Sleep is also critical for maintaining good mental health. A lack of sleep can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. During sleep, the brain processes and consolidates memories improves learning and decision-making abilities and regulates mood.

Metabolic function: Sleep also plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism. A lack of sleep has been linked to weight gain and a higher risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.

Performance: Sleep also plays a significant role in daily performance. A lack of sleep leads to decreased alertness, reaction time, and concentration, making it more difficult to complete tasks efficiently and effectively.

Quality of life: Finally, sleep is essential for overall quality of life. Good sleep helps improve mood, increase energy levels, and reduce stress and anxiety, allowing for a more fulfilling and enjoyable daily life.

In conclusion, sleep is a crucial aspect of our health and daily life, playing a significant role in physical and mental well-being, metabolic function, performance, and quality of life. It is important to prioritise adequate sleep and create healthy sleep habits for optimal health and happiness. If you feel your sleep habits could do with a boot camp, please read and follow my steps to better sleep and enhanced energy article and adopt some of the practices, if you sustain these changes it won’t take long to notice the extraordinary difference it makes to all aspects of your life.