2023-10-04 20:30:52
sleep problems
Sleep problems plague many people, and long-term “not enough sleep” may lead to a short life! A survey found that nearly 80% of the respondents felt that they were “not sleepy enough”, and nearly half slept an average of 6 hours or less; more than 45% had sleep problems every other day, and 64% did not know that insufficient sleep would lead to the risk of short life. Experts said that sleep problems can affect physical or mental health, and Hong Kong people’s sleep problems cannot be ignored; citizens can try to start with regular work and rest times, and put down their mobile phones half an hour before going to bed.
ESDlife conducted an online survey of 694 people in September. The results showed that nearly half of Hong Kong people (49%) only get 6 hours or less of sleep per day, which is lower than the adult recommendation of 7 to 9 hours of sleep per day. One study found that women who sleep less than 7 hours a day have a 21% higher risk of death than adults who sleep 7 hours a day, while men have a 26% higher risk.
The survey results also show that lack of sleep can lead to physical or emotional problems such as poor concentration (52%), headaches and dizziness (46%), and proneness to losing temper (44%). 42% and 40% respectively worry that lack of sleep will lead to memory loss, impaired immunity or resistance, etc.; 35% worry about increasing the risk of cancer, heart disease, etc. However, as many as 64% of people do not know that lack of sleep can lead to short life, including increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, weakened immunity, and may also cause high blood pressure and heart disease.
Taking melatonin effectively helps you sleep
In order to have a good sleep, respondents use an average of two methods to help them sleep. Common methods include listening to music (37%), taking deep breaths (25%), lighting aromatherapy (20%) and watching TV (18%). Among the methods that respondents have tried, most people think that taking melatonin is effective (74%), followed by listening to music (72%) and wearing eye masks (70%). However, it was also found that some interviewees misunderstood the function of melatonin, thinking that it can eliminate dark spots on the skin and whiten it.
Psychiatrist Li Yunfeng explained that melatonin is a sleep hormone naturally secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, which helps regulate the biological clock. However, nearly 60% of Hong Kong people spend 6 hours or more using electronic products every day, and nearly 20% People who use electronic products for 12 hours or more a day interfere with the brain’s judgment of day and night and inhibit melatonin secretion. Florence, a registered dietitian (UK) and chief consultant nutritionist of Hong Kong Nutrition Network, added that people with sleep disorders can eat more eggs, almonds, and tomatoes to supplement melatonin.
Start by improving your sleep life
Li Yunfeng pointed out that the most important thing to improve sleep disorders is to change living habits. Insomniacs should change their habits of using electronic products and exercise more. The room should also be maintained at about 22 degrees Celsius. Avoid placing clocks in conspicuous places to avoid anxiety when insomnia occurs. If you still cannot fall asleep after lying in bed for 20 minutes, you can get out of bed and walk around to distract yourself. Attention; also reminds that if insomnia persists for more than 1 month, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
The original article was published on AM730
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