It’s uncanny how we detest sleep in our youth and only crave it more once we’re older. Getting a good night’s sleep starts to take more effort thanks to busier lives, more responsibilities and health conditions as well. Celebrities often speak about how getting a good night’s rest is the secret to their glowing skin and hair. While we know that’s not all it takes, it is a significant contributor to your body’s recovery and readiness levels to take on the next day. The importance of sleep is in the spotlight so much so that spas around the world are offering sleep programmes dedicated to resetting and improving sleep schedules, and living in sync with your circadian rhythm. Two health and wellness experts help us decode the impact of sleep and how you can improve your snooze time.
How sleep affects your overall health
“In order to experience healthy sleep, as humans, we need to attune ourselves to nature’s rhythms, and not the other way around,” says Dr Lilly-Marie Blecher, chief medical officer at Soneva. “In cities, we are most often exposed to unnatural light, sound and temperature environments, and are far removed from natural cycles. Additionally, the non-stop activity of city life is increasing stress and anxiety, keeping the body in a heightened state of alertness that counteracts sleep readiness.” Sleep impacts almost all factors that contribute to your mental and physical health, going beyond simply mental alertness and energy levels the next day. “Not getting enough sleep consistently can also make you a nervous person,” says Samreedhi Goel, a Mumbai-based nutritionist and fitness expert. “On the diet front, not sleeping enough increases carbohydrate craving hampering your ability to regulate your appetite. If you’re feeling low and craving instant energy, you will crave carbs. Plus, not sleeping well also lowers your immunity and causes blood sugar levels and blood pressure to fluctuate throughout the day.”
Sleeping well…
