Sleep Well, Heal Well
Staying up late at night, fiddling with your phone, while scrolling through pages of your newsfeed? Does that sound like your daily night-time ritual? Are you a night owl who loves partying up till the wee hours of the night?
You aren’t just robbing your body of rest. In fact, you’re hindering its ability to heal, repair and rejuvenate? Yes, sleep means much more to your body than just rest.
Sleep isn’t like Parking your Car in the Garage for the Night
For years, scientists and researchers believed that sleep was just for winding up at the end of the day. Just like you park your car in the garage at night, sleeping was considered akin to parking and resting our bodies at the end of our weary day.
But, several new studies claim that,
“Sleep just doesn’t rest our bodies. In fact, it Heals.”
What does Naturopathy have to Say on the Healing Power of Sleep?
According to Naturopathy, sleep forms the third pillar of good health along with diet and exercise. Quality sleep is essential for our bodies to function at optimum levels. It rejuvenates both the mind and the body.
Sleep is the master coordinator that connects your mind, body, and soul. Consider sleep as the natural shock absorber of your body. It protects your body and mind from the stresses of daily life and helps to enhance your immunity.
“Sleep the Third Pillar of Well-being.”
So, how does sleep heal your body? Let’s take a closer look.
- Repairs your Body
When you sleep, your body releases a set of hormones that encourage tissue growth. This helps you to recover quickly from sore muscles, cuts, and other injuries.
- Improves your Immunity & Keep Infections Away
When you have a quality sleep, your body generates more white blood cells, which protect you from bacteria and viruses. Sleep amplifies the defense mechanisms of your body.
Catch a cold often? It may be because your body lacks sleep. When you have a sleep deficiency, your body finds it difficult to ward off common infections and ailments.
In fact, a recent study states that people who slept for 7 hours or less daily were three times more likely to catch a cold than those who slept for 8 hours a day.
- Boosts your Mood – Feel Happier
Feeling cranky, lethargic and grumpy when you wake up? It means that you aren’t getting enough sleep or your sleep is of poor quality.
Getting enough good-quality sleep ensures that you wake up in a better mood to tackle the stresses and strains of the day ahead.
- Protects your Mental Well-being
Sleep plays a crucial role in determining our mental health. People who sleep for 7 to 9 hours at night are less likely to experience the symptoms of depression.
Lack of sleep for an extended period takes a toll on your self-esteem, energy levels and raises anxiety and negative thoughts.
- Keeps your Weight in Check
Studies prove that you’re likely to binge-eat carbs when your body is sleep deprived. Also, too little sleep wrecks the levels of two vital hormones: leptin and ghrelin.
Lack of sleep increases the production of ghrelin – the hormone that indicates sugar and reduces Leptin – the hormone that indicates satiety.
In simple terms, lack of sleep increases food cravings and wrecks your waistline.
- Improves Cognitive Abilities
When your body is in a deep sleep, it flushes out toxins from your brain. This helps to reduce cognitive decline and keeps diseases like Alzheimer’s away.
Also, lack of sleep hinders your judgement. Very often, when you sleep on a problem, you’re likely to find a solution for it when you wake up the next day.
- Protects your heart
People who sleep for 6 hours or less are at an increased risk of heart diseases and stroke. Similarly, long sleepers (more than 9 hours daily) are also at an increased risk.
Want to get more Sleep? Try these Tricks
Now, that you’ve seen the Power of Sleep, here are some natural ways to help you Sleep Better
- Create a Sleep Routine & Stick to It
While it may seem tempting to sleep till noon on the weekends, it only ends up disrupting your biological clock. Go to bed at a fixed time every day and stick to it even on weekends and holidays.
- Move it
Researchers state that adults who exercise regularly are likely to sleep better. You can try practicing yoga asanas to improve the quality of your sleep and to feel refreshed throughout the day. Just ensure that you don’t work out close to bedtime as you’re likely to feel revved up to wind down.
- Eat Right
One of the biggest culprits for insomnia or poor sleep is the food you’re putting in your mouth. Switch to a naturopathic diet to reset all body functions and help you sleep better. Stay away from processed and junk foods, all of which end wrecking your natural sleep cycle.
- Review your Medications
Some drugs like beta-blockers which are often prescribed for blood pressure and antidepressants interfere with your sleep patterns. Instead of drugs, switch to naturopathic treatment methods like chromotherapy, hydrotherapy, fasting to tackle diabetes, BP, obesity, arthritis, depression, migraine and much more.
- Wind down
Sleep is not an off-switch. Instead, it’s like slowly reducing the speed. Give time for your body to wind down and drift to sleep. Switch off gadgets. Brush your teeth, wash your face, remove makeup and moisturize. Change into your bed clothes, practice meditation and curl up in bed with a light read.
The Last Word
A good night’s sleep does more benefits to your body than you can imagine. So, don’t let distractions and worries keep you up at night. Try to these tips to sleep better and benefit from the “Healing power of Sleep.”
“A Good Laugh and a Long Sleep are the two best cures for Anything.”
Source: http://www.naturehealz.com/blog/discover-the-healing-power-of-sleep
Disclaimer: All information, data and material has been sourced from multiple authors and is for general information and educational purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor.
The views and nutritional advice expressed are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
