Sleep can be the devil!

One night you’ve slept for 10+ hours and wake up feeling groggy.

The next night, you’ve had 6 hours and you live off adrenaline and to-do lists all day…

How are we meant to know how much sleep we need, how it impacts us and most importantly, how can we get a good sleeping pattern?

We all know when it comes to our health and wellbeing, sleep is probably the no.1 factor that we need to look after and cherish.

In order to understand, let’s chat about Why Sleep Is So Important first of all….

….

 

1. BRAIN FUNCTION

You’ll notice that when you’re tired, you can’t seem to think straight… decisions are harder to make and therefore your healthiest habits are harder to adopt.

There were several studies that scientists did in the early 2000s that looked at the effects of sleep deprivation, and they found that sleep has links to several brain functions, including:

• concentration
• productivity
• cognition

No wonder! Sleep is vital for decision making, productivity and concentration.

 

2. WEIGHT FLUCTUATION

There have been many studies on the link between obesity and poor sleep patterns.

Also, on how getting a good night’s sleep can help a person consume fewer calories during the day.

Although there is not one ‘correct’ study, we do know that when a person does not sleep long enough, it can interfere with their body’s ability to regulate food intake correctly.

Therefore, lack of sleep can alter not only the way our brain works in terms of our health, but also can interfere with our bodies ability to regulate the food we are eating…

 

3. PERFORMANCE & ENERGY

According to the scientists, adequate sleep for adults is between 7 and 9 hours a night, and athletes may benefit from as many as 10 hours. INTERESTING FACT: Sleep is as important to athletes as consuming enough calories and nutrients.

. Other benefits include:

• better performance intensity
• more energy
• better coordination
• faster speed
• better mental functioning

To make the most of your sessions with us, your walks and any other daily activities, perhaps we need to look even more at our sleeping pattern 🙂

 

4. HEART DISEASE & BP ASSISTANCE

A risk factor for heart disease is High Blood Pressure and according to research, getting a good nights sleep each night allows the bodies blood pressure to regulate itself!!

Not only this, it promotes better overall heart health; ensuring your body has the strength to cope with any health considerations you may have or that may come about.

 

5. MENTAL HEALTH

If we’ve learnt anything from 2020, it’s looking after ourselves, our mind and our thoughts.

Such things, are hugely impacted by sleep, with research stating there is a link between lack of sleep and depression.

ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Exercise can be hugely beneficial to your sleep

So… a combination of exercising and getting into an adjusted sleeping pattern could, well…

Change your life.

 

BUT, the important question now is HOW can we get a better nights sleep and what are some of the factors that could be affecting our sleep routine….

 We’re not here to tell you that getting to sleep is easy…

We would be completely wrong.

However, we are here to let you know what you can look out for when trying to get a better sleep pattern

Consistency – One good nights sleep probably won’t equate to you having balls of energy. Try and get into bed and wake up at the same time, for at least 5 days of your week. Our body loves ROUTINE.

Bed time routine – On the note of routine. Do you have a routine before sleep? Shower, comfy clothes, hot herbal tea, 30 mins of reading, light music… ? Jot down a few ideas that make you feel most relaxed and start putting them to practice!

EXERCISE – Exercise has been seen to help us sleep longer, and enjoy better sleep quality

Alcohol – Alcohol can make us drift off a little easier to begin with… however it is known to reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Long working hours– Ironically long working hours can impact on our sleep negatively. Working more hours with little breaks, means higher brain stimulation and when it comes to ‘shutting off’ this takes a lot longer.

Lastly… sleep isn’t something that can magically be perfect every night, however it is something that can we work at and prioritise. Just like prioritising healthy eating and exercise, let’s try and prioritise sleep just the same!

Any questions, do pop us a message.

We are here for you, through fitness, your health and your 2021 goals.

Let’s make this year the best yet!

Very best wishes

Team DVCC