Sleep Health

The term "sleep health" describes the quantity, regularity, and quality of a person's sleep as well as how sleep affects their general physical and mental health.

Sleep is vital to your overall health. It enhances the quality of life, your body's immune system performance, memory consolidation, and physical and mental well-being. Chronic sleep deprivation can cause heart disease, obesity, and cognitive impairment among other health problems. 

The most common sleep disorders are parasomnias (unusual behaviours during sleep, like sleepwalking), narcolepsy (sudden uncontrollable sleep attacks), insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), and sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep.)

Numerous factors, such as lifestyle choices, an irregular sleep schedule, stress and anxiety, medications, and underlying mental health problems can all contribute to sleep disorders.

When you can't sleep:

• Practice relaxation techniques.
• Stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
• Ensure a comfortable sleep environment.
• Avoid caffeine and screens before bedtime.
• Go for a walk so that you get tired and fall asleep.  
• If sleep problems continue, it would be advisable to consult a sleep expert. 

Set a regular wake-up and bedtime, establish a calming bedtime routine, make sure your sleep environment is comfortable, abstain from caffeine and screen time before bed, and exercise patience while your body gets used to the new routine.

Even though six hours of sleep might be sufficient for some people, it is better to get seven to nine hours every night for your overall well-being.

To achieve deep sleep, it's essential to establish a consistent sleep schedule and create a comfortable sleep environment. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, and limit screen time and bright lights before sleep. Engaging in relaxation techniques or a calming bedtime routine will help. Regular physical activity and stress management through techniques like deep breathing can support deep sleep.

After eating, it's usually healthy to take a quick nap; however, long naps should be avoided as they may interfere with sleep at night. A quick energy boost and aid in digestion can be obtained from a 20–30 minute nap. Having said all of this, there must be some gap between the time you have eaten and are going to sleep, may it be during the day or at night.