Sleeping is undoubtedly one of the most essential natural functions of the human body, so that the person can recover energy for the next day and, therefore, keep active.
In addition, health experts point out that sleep helps the body fight certain diseases. In fact, the US National Institutes of Health They explain that lack of sleep is detrimental to the body.
In this sense, there are methods or natural techniques for people can fall asleep without the need to resort to medication.
Here are four recommended methods:
Avoid coffee: Some health experts point out that a cup of coffee, which is widely used in the morning or in the afternoon, could alter sleep if consumed a few hours before going to bed, since it contains caffeine, an alkaloid that in turn stimulates the central nervous system.
Use soothing sounds: Also called white sounds, they claim that placing some of these on platforms like YouTube help the person to fall asleep. advise those that serve to meditate or that have sounds of nature such as rain.
Disconnect from electronic devices: although before closing your eyes and calling it a day, it is very common to check for the last time equipment such as smartphones, tablets and computers, they recommend putting them aside for at least an hour before bedtime, so that a climate of total disconnection is generated, necessary for the body to predispose itself to rest.
Sleep at the same time: if the body is used to going to bed at the same time, health experts say that eventually it will be easier for the person to fall asleeptaking into account that the body will produce serotonin and melatonin, neurotransmitters, necessary to rest.
What are the consequences of not sleeping well?
A study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) analyzed the sleep patterns of 1,647 people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – such as bronchitis – to see what effect sleep deprivation has on lung health.
The researchers concluded that “A lack of sleep can weaken the immune system of healthy people and make them more prone to colds and flu.” This, together with a diagnosis of COPD, increases the probability of suffering respiratory failure by 95%.
In addition, the study also showed that people of African descent are more likely to suffer from conditions and problems in the quality of sleep and, therefore, are more affected by lung diseases or COPD. In previous studies, this relationship between both variables had only been assumed.
Aaron Baugh, researcher and doctor in charge of the study, assured that these results will increase academic research. and medical knowledge about the effects and consequences of sleep quality in other lung conditions. “This study adds to the growing body of knowledge demonstrating the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on general health.”
In fact, according to the World Association for Sleep Medicine (WASM): “sleep problems constitute a global epidemic that threatens the health and quality of life of more than 45% of the world’s population. Not having a good sleep cycle has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, mental illness and autoimmune system problems.
Additionally, the executive director and co-founder of the Royal Society of Public Health (RSHP) Shirley Cramer explained in an interview for the BBC that poor sleep implies a poor diet, a decrease in mental health, increases the risk of accidents, decreases physical performance and affects the ability to pay attention and learn.
Taking into account the above, when you sleep well, you increase your physical health. Sleep is the time for recovery of the body and mind and after a good night’s rest, decision making is better, people feel more alert and empowered to face whatever the day brings.