HEALTH: Sleep-Health Connection

By Oluwaferanmi Mary

Sleep is a condition of body and mind that typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the eyes are closed, the postural muscles relaxed, the activity of the brain altered, and consciousness of the surroundings practically suspended. During sleep, our body repairs and regenerates damaged cells, build bone and muscle, and strengthen our immune system. Sleep is a normal, reversible, recurrent state of reduced responsiveness to external stimulation accompanied by complex and predictable changes in physiology.

The brain also consolidates memories, processes emotions, and clears waste products that can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. This account for every expression people make every morning. Someone who has slept within the range of two and three hours and another who slept within the range of five and eight hours will show different rate of activeness in their daily activities. Mood swing can as well be traced to lack of sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to general body weakness it also brings about depression. A good number of workshop accident is as a result of inadequate sleep. Aside from the fact that carelessness contributes to the causes of accident in the workshop, a weak body will not function well at work.  

Studies suggests that healthy adults between ages 26 and 64 needs about 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Adults over age 65 need roughly 7 to 8 hours. Increasing numbers of people sleep fewer than 7 or more than 8 hours.

 The cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been part of a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke. As a student, memory loss is always common with students that deprive themselves of sleep.

On this topic of sleep, it is important that we know the best choice for sleeping. There is good evidence that sleeping on the side or with head slightly elevated is related with lower incidence of neurodegenerative disease than sleeping fully supine. Sleeping on the side seems to have the least negative impact on health, Dr. Pirtle says. Sleeping on the left side is best because it keeps pressure off internal organs and promotes healthy blood flow.

There are many ways of improving sleep quality as well as benefits attached to sleep but these benefits can be gotten through one general tip; sticking to a sleep schedule. This involves setting a specific time for going to bed at night and a time to wake up which must be within the range 8 hours for adult and 10-11 hours for children. Pay attention to what you eat and drink. It is important not to go to bed hungry or stuffed. This is mostly related to people with tight and busy daily schedule, who can’t have breakfast nor lunch. They tend to fall back on dinner, trying to eat a lot to suffice for food they haven’t had since morning. Creating a restful environment also increases sleep quality. Keep your room cool, dark, quiet and make use of a clean bed sheet and pillowcase. Phone or television screen should be avoided, at least thirty minutes before bedtime. The bed is not a library nor a table so all books and gadget should be removed from the bed before lying on it. Limit daytime naps and include physical activity in your daily routine.

Having good sleep can have a transformative impact on our lives; medically, emotionally and our daily activities. Having the right quantity of sleep help with memory formation. It is mostly believed that when man sleeps, the brain as well rest from all day activity which in turns help the brain to function well and helps keep blood sugar consistent. Sleep also has a way of keeping the heart healthy; there is no panic, no anxiety and nothing to worry about and clear thinking, bringing about ability to think clearly without being clouded with a lot of thoughts. This alone leaves the heart to function at its normal rate when the body go to sleep.

Sleep is highly essential as it helps to build and repair damaged cells. Quality sleep also helps in proper brain functioning and reduces stress. One should not be deprived of sleep. Eight hours most is needed to put the whole body back to functioning properly. Man ought to sleep, you are not a robot. Remember the best position for sleeping is lying on the side, preferably left side as it has a health help. Sleep and function well.