1.800.983.3887
Email
Whether it’s studying for midterms, working on a new project or exercising at the gym – we put our mind and bodies through a lot. And while sleep often takes the backseat to the demands of our busy schedules, the importance of getting enough, can’t be overstated.
So, let’s explore why sleep is so vital, what happens during those unconscious hours and some helpful tips for restful slumber.
Why is sleep important?
Sleep is a fundamental pillar of your health and well-being, impacting your physical, mental and emotional health. It’s a vital time and process that allows your body and mind to rest, restore and regenerate.
When you’re sleeping, your body repairs tissues, consolidates memories and releases essential hormones. And it plays a vital role in brain health, immunity, mood, memory and stress management.
What happens when you don’t reach the recommended snooze hours? (Around 7 hours for most healthy adults.1)
A few nights every now and then will just make you doze off and muddle your thoughts the next day.
But if not getting enough it your norm, it can lead to a slew of harmful effects. Think: increased risk of chronic illnesses, impaired cognitive function, weakened immune system, mood disturbances, weight gain and reduced overall well-being.
What are the stages of sleep?
You probably already know that sleep isn’t a uniform state of unconscious, but instead, it’s a dynamic process with different stages of sleep that work together to restore and rejuvenate your body and mind. In fact, there are 4 different stages of sleep – and each one serves a distinct purpose. And by going through the full cycle of sleep, you’re more likely to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
- NREM-1 (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) is when brain activity slows down and your body shifts from wakefulness to sleep mode. You’re in this stage for only about 5% of your total sleep time.
- NREM-2 is a deeper stage of sleep; brain activity slows even more – and your body temperature and heart rate drop too. This occupies roughly 50% of your total slumber and is essential for creating memories and processing information learned during the day.
- NREM-3 aka slow-wave sleep is your deepest and most restorative stage of sleep. This period is vital for immunity, hormone regulation – and tissue, cell and muscle repair. You’ll spend about 20% of zZz’s in this stage.
- REM (Rapid Eye Movement) is when you’ll experience rapid eye movements, increased brain activity and vivid dreaming. It’s key for emotional processing, memory, learning, creativity and even problem-solving skills. You enter REM about 90 minutes after dozing off and then again throughout the night in cycles.
6 tips to help with sleep:
Almost one in three American adults say they don’t get the recommended seven hours. If you’re among those who have trouble sleeping, you know how agonizing it can be: You lie in bed, but sleep doesn’t come. Or you snatch a few hours only to wake feeling drained.
To help with a better night’s rest, here are 6 tips:
1. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule
Build a regular sleep routine by jumping into bed and waking up around the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock and can lead to more consistent and restful sleep.
2. Have a wind-down routine
Create a relaxing bedtime routine that signals your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for bed. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a warm bath or listening to music, build a habit to calm your mind that helps shift your body into sleep mode.
3. Create a sleep-friendly room
Transform your bedroom into a cozy sleep sanctuary. Keep the room dark, quiet and cool. Use soft, breathable bedding and if your mattress is uncomfortable, invest in one that fits your comfort level (trust me, it’s worth it!). And, if you live in a noisy area, try using earplugs, an eye mask or a white noise machine to block out any disruptive noises or lights.
4. Avoid the screens
While it’s tempting to scroll through your phone in bed, the blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your sleep-wake cycle. Try to disconnect from your phone and other electronics at least an hour before bed or use blue light filters or apps to minimize the impact.
5. Get moving
Moving your body can positively influence sleep patterns and increase the duration of deep sleep. Exercise not only helps tire your body physically, making it easier to fall asleep, but it also releases endorphins, brain chemicals that naturally lift mood and promote relaxation.
The caveat: exercising too close to bedtime can have the opposite effect and increase alertness. So it’s best to schedule your workout at least a few hours before bedtime to allow your body to wind down.
6. Manage stress
Stress may be one of the biggest culprits for poor sleep. It often causes your mind to race, making it hard to fall asleep and disrupting sleep stages when you do. To ease stress, find ways to calm your mind like through meditation, journaling or sipping on hot tea to promote restful sleep.
About Gabby
Gabby is a Nutritionist with a master’s degree in strategic communications. She loves using her nutrition-fluency with storytelling to encourage positive change. Before Persona, she worked at a mental health clinic helping clients manage stress, anxiety and other mental health issues through diet.
Gabby is just one of the many experts at Persona who are here to accelerate your wellness journey. If you have questions about nutrition or your personalized program, reach out now or book a free appointment with Gabby or another of our amazing nutritionists.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information from this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.
