180 Health: Why Sleep Matters
As someone who works with patients suffering from a variety of ailments—ranging from sprained ankles to sore backs—I also focus on helping people improve their overall health. One of the first aspects we often explore is sleep. It's a paradox that while everyone loves sleep, hardly anyone seems to get enough of it. Despite its universal appeal, sleep is one of the most neglected elements of health, even though it directly impacts our physical and mental performance.
Quality sleep is essential for optimal functioning in our waking lives, from our ability to focus to our physical resilience. The role of sleep in our overall well-being can't be overstated. Factors like a comfortable mattress, a supportive pillow, and an ideal room temperature significantly affect the quality of our sleep, and in turn, how well we function during the day.
Light plays a critical role in setting our internal sleep-wake cycle. While certain animals have specialized organs to detect light (snakes have a whole on the top of their head to detect heat/light), humans rely on their eyes to signal to the body when it's time to rest or wake up. Proper lighting techniques, such as dimming the lights before bedtime and utilizing natural light upon waking, can help regulate a more natural and effective sleep pattern.
Interestingly, our sleep patterns and the lifestyles we lead, particularly regarding diet and exercise, have a reciprocal relationship. Poor diet and a lack of exercise can lead to sleep issues such as insomnia or disrupted sleep, while poor sleep can lead to unhealthy eating and a lack of motivation for exercise. For instance, lack of sleep can disrupt the balance of hormones that control appetite, often leading to poor food choices. On the flip side, a balanced diet rich in nutrients can contribute to a better, more restful sleep. Likewise, regular exercise has been shown to improve sleep quality, but excessive exercise close to bedtime can have the opposite effect.
Working irregular hours or night shifts can wreak havoc on your sleep, impacting your performance and long-term health. The World Health Organization has even listed shift work as a potential health concern, with speculation that it might be carcinogenic. Although this subject requires more research, the potential health risks further underline the essential role of sleep in our lives.
Another factor influencing our sleep and wakefulness is caffeine. It's a popular stimulant that can effectively promote alertness but needs to be used judiciously. Caffeine's impact varies greatly among individuals due to genetic factors. Knowing your own body's reaction to caffeine can help you use it to your advantage, without compromising your sleep quality.
In conclusion, sleep isn't just a "nice-to-have;" it's a foundational element of health that directly impacts our daily performance and long-term well-being. Its intricate relationship with diet and exercise forms a cycle of health—or unhealth—that can either propel us to higher levels of physical and mental performance or leave us stuck in a rut of poor habits and lack of focus. Prioritizing sleep is not just about feeling rested; it's about enabling our best selves to show up, day in and day out.
Move Freely. Move Mindfully. MoveMentality.
Disclaimer: Hey there, just wanted to let you know that the content shared in this column is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended to act as a substitute for individualized, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have unique medical concerns, you should always seek care from a trained and licensed medical professional who holds a scope of practice suitable for your individual needs.
MoveMentality offers multiple services to keep your moving and feeling your best, including athletic-based chiropractic care, medical acupuncture, custom orthotics, personal training and nutrition, as well as alternative health services like tapping and cupping. We direct bill to insurance.
68 Colborne St, Fenelon Falls,
705-307-6683
movementalityKL@gmail.com
