The Sleep Connection For Good Health

Sleep has been identified as a crucial piece of the health maintenance puzzle that science studies daily. Everyone needs sleep. Not only do we need it, we need a certain quantity and quality of it. It's how your body recuperates from the stresses and exertions of your daily routine. When you're sick, sleep is what your body needs for self-healing. Your body has a natural internal clock, based on the movements of the sun and moon as well as other elements of your physical world. Your sleep cycle is part of this biological rhythm, called your Circadian Rhythm. When your Circadian Rhythm is healthy and balanced, your physiological systems tend to run like clockwork. For this reason, sleep deprivation can seriously disrupt your health.

It's not health threatening to experience occasional trouble sleeping. There may be a night less restful or a day when we know we just didn't get enough sleep. At times like this, we may think "I'll get to bed early tonight" and in fact that's often what happens- and one night of poor sleep is easily remedied. Problems occur when every night we are wakened, or don't sleep well at all. Those problems may include:

• hot flashes

• brain fog

• low libido

• memory loss/forgetfulness

• severe PMS

• fatigue

• weight gain/weight loss

• fibromyalgia

• irritability

• hallucinations

• ADD/ADHD

• depression

• tremors

• impaired immune function

• impaired judgement

• Type 2 diabetes

• heart disease

• hypertension

• slurred speech

• increased hunger/loss of appetite

• clumsiness

• headaches

• yawning

• temper tantrums

• dizziness

• hormone imbalance

The list of health disorders and conditions above (it's a long one, isn't it!) have all been identified as potentially caused by a consistent lack of quality sleep. The average adult needs 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night in order to function normally and stay healthy. We're talking quality sleep, all night long, no interruptions, no night-time awakenings, no tossing and turning. If you are getting your recommended amount of quality sleep, by morning you should feel refreshed and energized- and ready to tackle your day.

Waking up feeling groggy, tired and exhausted could mean you have one of the more than 70 existing sleep disorders. If left undiagnosed and untreated, your immune system could become compromised and you coulddevelop a chronic disease or health condition such as diabetes, hypertension or even heart disease. That's how important a good night's sleep is.

There are many causes of a poor nights sleep. Hormone imbalances, stress, worry, relationship issues, an old mattress or prescription medications are just a few of the possible culprits. It could even be that we aren't adjusting well to seasonal changes like daylight savings time. Identifying the root of the problem is the best way to determine the proper approach to a solution.

Some of the things you can try on your own to get back your quality z's include: Creating soothing background sounds with a fan or a white noise machine to mask unwelcome background noises. Turning on soft music and lying there with your eyes closed, listening until your mind drifts off. Reading at night after you lay down, promoting relaxation and drowsiness. Taking a melatonin supplement about an hour before bedtime. Getting 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis, along with a balanced whole food diet. In the summer months when the days are longer, blackout curtains could be your best defense against the inability to get to bed on time. Darkness works to trigger our sleep response, as well as certain foods. Steer clear of foods high in sugar or caffeine late in the day, and opt instead for yogurt, a banana or strawberries. The magnesium and potassium in these foods give your melatonin levels a boost when your body needs it most.

If none of these solutions works for you, you could consider making an appointment with a “sleep doctor”. A good one will discuss your lifestyle with you and work to discover the underlying cause of the problem. Sleep doctors have access to numerous therapies and treatments from natural and holistic to conventional and can help you find a solution you feel comfortable with. There are accredited sleep centers all over the United States that specialize in diagnosing and treating the many different causes of insomnia.

Getting enough quality sleep is a strong foundation for good health maintenance, along with your living environment, dietary choices and stress management. Although you may know of people who say they can get by on 4 to 6 hours of sleep a day, most people do not function well on such a schedule. To stay well and be healthy you should consider how the many different aspects of your health are interconnected and create balance and harmony within those aspects- beginning the minute you awaken.