You already know the myriad health benefits of consistent, quality sleep. However, what if the very thing your body and mind desire most is elusive? Below we share with you, courtesy of Vencasa, the world leaders in sleep and only home to Tempur, Malouf and Magniflex, the link between sleep and health and share some tips on how you can build your ideal sleep ecosystem.
Sleep is the secret elixir of life, and within your grasp. It means you’ll have better days, both physically and emotionally, as it helps to regulate your immune system and your mood. It also improves learning, enhances problem-solving skills and your ability to perform. Along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, sound sleep is one of the three pillars of good health.
The facts: Sleep to feel good emotionally
Sleep helps regulate mood and process emotional information and experiences into memory. On the opposite end, insufficient sleep leads to emotional disturbance. The two core benefits of REM sleep involve nurturing emotional and mental health, and problem solving and creativity.
Poor sleep is often associated with several adverse health outcomes such as poor mental health, it affects work, chores, concentration, forgetfulness, mental tiredness, alertness, irritability, energy, daytime sleepiness, and social functioning. Conversely, research shows that sufficient, quality sleep contributes to a fresh, energising start to your day, to boosting your productivity, sociability, strengthening your memory and overall well-being.
Studies have shown that people with sleep problems suffer from more symptoms of anxiety and depression than people without insomnia. Directly or indirectly, it is evident that disrupted sleep can have a negative effect on family life, relationships and work life.
Repeated dwelling on feelings, problems and difficulties in bed is quite common in preventing sleep as it is one of the worst times for rumination. One of the recommended ways to stop ruminating is to distract yourself from the worries. Rather focus on what you are grateful for in that present moment.
The facts: Sleep to feel good physically
People who get an entire night’s sleep without any interruptions experience lower rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other chronic illnesses. According to sleep expert Matthew Walker, there is a very intimate association between our sleep health and our immune health. Perhaps we need to change our perspective, and view sleep as one of the best medical aids.
Simply put, sleep is a vital part of your overall health and well-being. Get enough and you’ll boost everything from your energy levels to your brainpower. Get too little and you put yourself at higher risk of a range of diseases and conditions, from diabetes to depression.
Top tips
- Establish a regular bedtime and wakeup time, every day, even on weekends.
- If you find yourself ruminating, distract yourself, even if it means getting out of bed and looking at the stars.
- Engage in regular exercise – a sedentary life does not help with sound sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and food several hours before bed.
- Examine your sleep sanctuary: do your mattress and pillow support you? Do you need an adjustable bed to assist with healing?
- Use comfortable, inviting bedding.
- Find a comfortable sleep temperature setting and keep the room well ventilated.
- Block out all distracting noise and eliminate as much light as possible.
Consider this: would you run a marathon or hike a mountain without the right gear? Apply that same logic to your bedroom. The wrong mattress can be the cause of neck and back pain. And a mattress that’s too old provides no support, leaving you tossing and turning endlessly.
And yes, it’s easy to blame your budget for a less-than-ideal mattress, but considering that more sleep can put you in a better mood, build your immunity, improve your memory, sharpen your focus and hone your creativity, can you really put a price tag on good sleep?
Vencasa knows that your body, mind and soul deserve quality sleep, and provide a range of exceptional sleep solutions to ensure it. Medically informed, scientifically sound and aesthetically magnificent, Vencasa brings the ultimate sleep solution to the market, providing premium, high-quality products with a range of pricing.
Vencasa showrooms have created the perfect balance, where scientific research and product development complement their understanding of the sleep industry, while incorporating genuine care for each person’s individual sleep requirements.
Visit www.vencasa.co.za or call 0861 60 60 60 for more information, to shop, or for your nearest stockist.
Leave a Comment