Health is the natural state of the body and most of us have a profound capacity to heal.
There are many things in the modern environment that can disrupt our health
- poor diet
- acute and chronic stress
- environmental toxins
- infectious microorganisms
- and unhealthy behaviors such as smoking tobacco, or excessive drinking.
The fundamental ingredients of health are adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and exercise/movement. So many people don’t get enough sleep, some can’t fall asleep, and others can’t stay asleep or get back to sleep once they have woken up. A common pitfall is that people spend too much time on screens (TV and phones) before bed, and don’t allow enough time to get a restful sleep.
Consistently getting enough rest is vital for our immune system
When we sleep, our immune system works on everything from wound healing to fighting disease. Long-term lack of sleep can lead to poor immune function. For example, the immune response to vaccination against influenza virus decreases after six days of restricted sleep. There is also evidence that you’re more likely to get a common cold if you have poor sleep.
How much sleep do you need?
There is some variation in how much sleep any individual needs to feel well and be healthy. As a general guideline though, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults sleep seven or more hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
There are many ways to help get a better night’s sleep
- Turn off your screens an hour or more before bedtime
- Limit caffeine intake to the morning
- Sleep in a very dark room, even the light of an alarm clock can disrupt sleep
- Reserve the bed for sleep and sexual activity, you don’t want to associate the bed with other activities
- Try to have a consistent sleep schedule (bedtime and wake up)
- Limit fluid intake during the last few hours that you are awake
- Don’t drink alcohol, it might help you fall asleep, but sleep quality is lower
To learn more about how you can get back on track with your sleep and to book an appointment with Dr. Matt Sullivan give us a call at (425) 361-7945.