When we sleep, our brain regulates the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and immune systems and energizes the body. It also works to detoxify the liver, kidneys and other detoxification systems.
It also processes information and knowledge. This allows us to operate efficiently physically, mentally and emotionally throughout the day. So for the sake of your health it’s best not to miss out.
While we sleep, our body rejuvenates and heals and grows. The exercises we do during the day will only be "processed" when we sleep and fats will be burned. What we see, read and learned during the day will be organized and stored in the right places when the brain is at rest.
This is why it is so important to sleep sufficiently. It may be 6 or 7 or 8 hours for some, maybe even more for others. But be sure to get your sufficient sleep every night. Eliminate processed foods from your diet and regularly drink fresh juices which will gradually regulate your internal chemical balance for better sleep patterns.
If you are encountering a period of insomnia, try this juice to help calm the nerves and promote better sleep.
RECIPE:
- 2 green apples
- 2 ribs of celery
- A bunch of Romaine lettuce
- A bunch of cilantro
- 1/4 slice of lemon
- 1/2 inch ginger root piece (optional)
(Source: FB, Learning Petals)
Even if you've drunk gallons of camomile tea, shut the curtains and turned off the lights, there's still plenty of reasons why you might not be falling into the land of nod.
Here are six of the biggest sleep faux pas that keep millions of Brits awake at night...
Too many tablets
If you've got a cold or, even worse, the flu, you may be struggling to switch off because of a runny nose and chesty cough. It's natural to reach for the pills and pop a couple of tablets, but this could actually make things worse.
Pseudoephedrine, which is present in most decongestant tablets, has been known to cause insomnia, so stick to remedies specifically designed for the night time.
Cut your soak short
A long hot bath can definitely make you feel more relaxed, but climbing straight out of the water and into bed really isn't a good idea.
Naturally your body temperature dips at night making you feel more relaxed. A hot bath makes your temperature rise, but it's the actual cooling down process that relaxes you.
The steeper the drop, the deeper you'll sleep, so quickly diving under the covers won't give your body the correct cool-down. Take a bath at least an hour before bed time for the best results.
Don't use your laptop in the dark
Tapping away on your computer before bed may sound like a great way to rest, but research has shown that the 'blue-light' emitted from gadgets suppresses our melatonin levels and throws off our body clocks.
Switch your gadgets off an hour before bed or dim the screen as much as possible after 8pm.
Carb cramps
Eating big starchy meals before bedtime puts strain on your digestive system and can leave you feeling bloated. Research has shown that a full tum can stimulate brain waves that result in nightmares, so steer clear of big meals two hours before bedtime.
Avoid arguments
Even if you're bursting to get something off your chest, arguing about it before bedtime will just keep you awake. Stress and over stimulation before bed won't allow your brain to relax, so you'll stay in a state of 'sleeplessness'.
The same goes for sending angry texts or making difficult phone calls - save the stress until the morning.
Don't search for missing items
You've just got comfortable but now you've remembered that annoying missing sock that you forgot to look for earlier.
Getting up and searching for it could settle your mind, but if you can't find it it will only drive you to distraction. Unless it's urgent stay away from puzzles and conundrums until the morning.
Content and image source: Yahoo Singapore:
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/desperate-good-nights-sleep-6-things-avoid-bedtime-202006080.html
