Are you getting enough sleep!
Everyone loves to sleep. And, the older we get, the more we love and crave it. Picture this; you have had a long, hard day at work. And your feet and back hurt from sitting at your desk or commuting squashed onto public transport. You finally make it home, have a hot shower and something to eat, and then you get that moment when you slide under your duvet and turn into a sausage roll. There’s nothing better. But, other than the apparent comfort of the situation; why is it we crave our beds so much? Could it be that we just aren’t getting enough sleep?
How do you know if you’re getting enough sleep?
There are some tell-tell signs to take note of when you are trying to figure out whether you are getting enough sleep or not. And they are as follows.
Return of the spots!
As we have established from our previous blogs, almost anything can cause pimples. From a poor diet to poor skin care routines, and the weather being too hot or cold. Most things can create spots. And, unfortunately, sleep deprivation is one of them. There have been some studies that show there is a link between a lack of sleep and dreaded breakouts.
It’s all in the eyes.
Have your eyes suddenly become red, puffy and itchy? Aside from allergies, it is very likely the reason you are experiencing this is because you are overtired. During your sleep, your body regulates everything including hormone control. Including the hormones that prevent wrinkles, lines, swelling and droopiness, so lack of sleep results in no tissue repair.
Food glorious food
Again, the hormones that regulate during your sleep can also affect how hungry you feel. Meaning if you are feeling hungrier during the day than you usually do, your increase in appetite could very much be due to poor sleep. And, as a result of this, another sign comes into play that goes hand in hand with an increased appetite. And that is weight gain. The more food you eat without exercising, the more weight you will put on. The sad thing is that it is not just food that you crave, it is junk food. After a night with little to no sleep, a cheeseburger and fries start to look a lot more appetising than a salad.
There is no definitive reason for this, but the theory is, that overall your brain is tired. Including the part that decides what is a good idea and what is not, making the decision to give into desires a lot easier!
Have Starbucks or Costa become your best friend?
Craving caffeine is another way to tell your night sleep was not as fulfilling as you may have liked. If in the morning your standard cup of coffee is no longer enough and you are having two maybe three more cups if not more before lunch! Your body is telling you it is tired. Caffeine, much like sodas and energy drinks is a short-term solution that may very well be making your insomnia worse. The stuff that makes coffee so addictive is the same stuff that will trick your brain into thinking it can’t function without it.
In some cases resulting in severe anxiety and insomnia.
Mood swings?
Let’s face it, for some of us; mood swings are something we have to endure every month. And, they are not something that we want to have on a regular basis. However, a lack of sleep can make this an everyday thing. Look out for becoming easily irritable, frustrated, angry, and mentally exhausted! Because it could be your mind telling you to try to get a goods night rest.
How do you get a better night sleep?
Switch Off
Switching off all electronic devices, or at least putting them out of site for at least an hour before you plan to go to bed is a great start. Doing this can allow your mind to relax and your eyes to start to feel tired. The constant blue light from mobile phones, tablets, computers/laptops etc. keep your mind awake. Switching off also counts for TVs! Even if you’re reading a book in some mood lighting, it relaxes your brain.
Turn your clock away.
Does your clock face, face you when you sleep? Is the time staring at you whenever you open your eyes? This can be hindering your ability to sleep properly. With your clock facing you at night, your subconscious is always wondering what time it is. And so, your brain is not resting as it should.
Comfort is key!
Being comfortable in your bed in not just about what mattress you have. Comfortability is also about the position in which you sleep, and how you aid your muscles and bones in that position. If you are on your side, try sleeping with a pillow in between your legs. Sleeping on your back is the best way to lie, as your front can crush your organs and make sleeping a lot more uncomfortable.
In this week’s blog, we have only skimmed the top layer of being able to tell whether you are getting enough sleep. There are many reasons as to why you aren’t, but there are also many solutions. Or, at least tips on how to try to improve your sleep. Insomnia can be a very stressful and frustrating thing. But we hope that trying some of these tips can really help to enhance your REM sleep.
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Image Credits:
fi: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/lack-of-rem-sleep-linked-to-higher-risk-of-dementia-study-finds/
1: http://theconversation.com/why-a-lack-of-sleep-makes-us-depressed-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-66446
2: https://www.boxpark.co.uk/croydon/food-and-drink/
3: http://belltimemagazine.ie/tips-for-getting-good-sleep/
4: https://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/furniture/g3816/cozy-couches-and-chairs/