Get some rest in the days ahead.

[FlyJ]

More people are not getting the rest their body deserves. Doctors say more than 60 per cent of diseases they treat these days are, one way or the other, tied to lack of sleep and rest.

 

They say a situation where more than a third of the world’s population have bad sleeping habits and are getting less than the recommended minimum seven hours of sleep per night portends grave danger.

 

Not getting enough rest would not only leave you tired and grumpy, it can also lead to very serious medical problems.

 

Family physician, Dr. Akin Aderounmu, notes that lack of rest, which increases stress levels, also increases one’s risk for heart diseases, diabetes and sudden death.

 

The physician explains that lack of adequate sleep results in increased heart rate, blood pressure levels and production of certain chemicals which can lead to inflammation of the heart and other blood vessels.

 

He says, “When your heart rate and blood pressure increases over a long period because you are not sleeping enough, you are putting unnecessary strain on your heart. It can malfunction at any time. It can even stop on its own.

 

“Sudden death is closer than ever to the individual who does not get adequate rest or sleep. Not getting enough rest would not only make you tired, it would also put you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. These diseases can shorten your life span.”

 

Did you know that not getting enough sleep or rest can also affect your performance in the bedroom? Aderounmu explains that men and women who don’t get quality sleep have lower libidos and usually express less interest to have sex.

 

He adds that men who suffer poor sleep or sleeplessness tend to have low testosterone levels — the male sex hormone that boosts desire for sex and a major player in conception.

 

For both sexes, the physician notes, missing the required hours of sleep at night can impact on the ability to conceive by reducing the secretion of reproductive hormones.

 

He states, “Sleep has a powerful influence on the body’s hormonal system, which controls a woman’s cycle and regulates ovulation. Too little sleep leads to low leptin levels, one of the hormones responsible for ovulation in women. Lack of sleep in men lowers testosterone levels, which is also essential for conception.

 

“Couples with unexplainable fertility challenges must watch their sleep and rest pattern. It may just be the solution to their problems.”

 

Research has also linked sleeplessness to long-term mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. A study by the National Sleep Foundation in the US in 2013 reveals that more than 90 per cent of the patients who were being treated for depression, hallucination and schizophrenia at the Mark Anthony Hospital in Maryland, United States, slept for less than six hours a night.

 

Sleeplessness can also increase your risk for accidents and injury. Aderounmu notes that an individual who has had at least several sleepless nights would find it difficult to stay awake during the day, making it difficult for him or her to concentrate during some tasks or make decisions.

 

He adds, “You can doze off at any time if you have not been sleeping well. You may just be driving and the body will demand that it needs rest. In fact, this is a daily occurrence among people living in cities due to traffic. Sleeping while driving is dangerous, it’s as criminal as driving when you are drunk.”

 

The solution to lack of rest is to get some. Doctors say, on the average, adults should get at least seven to nine hours, while children need to sleep for at least 10-12 hours to function well.

 

Thank God it’s Friday; you can afford to rest in the next few days. Starting this weekend, try to add an extra hour or two of sleep a night.

 

As easy as going to bed earlier sounds, it is actually difficult to practise. We all know how many things compete for attention during the weekend, such as social engagements, kids and, of course, the TV.

 

However, you can still cultivate a healthy sleep habit. Experts say the way to do this is to lie on your bed immediately you feel tired. This will lull you to bed quickly.

 

Finally, kick out medications and alcoholic drinks — they only give temporary solutions and not the real thing.

 

Have a restful weekend!

 

Source

[Abystacy]

Nicely written....will work on my sleeping habit....