There’s no doubt about it: a good night's sleep is crucial to overall health and well-being. Yet, many people inadvertently neglect this important aspect of their lives.
Work commitments, household chores, and an endless list of errands often dictate our schedules and leave us with little time to rest properly. Unfortunately, poor sleep has devastating consequences on both physical and mental health. And contrary to what most people believe, sleep isn’t just an idle state. It’s when the brain and body actively carry out various processes.
As Dr. Merrill Mitler from the National Institute of Health (NIH) explains, while we slumber, our brain and body get down to serious reconditioning business — molecular-level “spring cleaning” that leads to more alertness, better energy levels, clearer thinking and improved mood.
This means that treating proper sleep as a luxury rather than an essential is doing your body a great disservice.
On top of prioritizing the right amount of time for shut-eye each night (it varies by person), there are several other ways you can improve the quality of your sleep:
Make sure you wind-down properly before bed: Using an eye massager can be a helpful tool in your pre-sleep routine because it targets pressure points around the eyes temples and forehead which helps you release stress built up during the day.
It also soothes muscles in those areas which brings relief from eye-strain headaches which make it much harder to relax into deep slumber.
Calm your mind: Some models incorporate heat therapy which further relaxes muscles around the eyes and increases blood flow in that area reducing puffiness and dark circles while making it easier for your mind to quiet down.
Though gentle these two tools together can create powerful effects on getting you ready for peaceful nights.
Research on India's Sleep Deprivation
Everyone deserves sound sleep at night but sadly not everyone gets enough of it in India.
According to various studies carried out by the Indian Society for Sleep Research (ISSR), sleep deficiency is alarmingly prevalent across the country.
Among the many reasons that make quality sleep an impossible dream for most Indians include work stress, long commutes, irregular schedules and excessive screen time before bed.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has linked sleep deprivation to a host of health issues like hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The three most common sleep disorders among Indians are insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Sleep deficiency also negatively impacts productivity, cognitive function and overall quality of life with far-reaching socio-economic consequences. But accessibility to specialized healthcare services combined with low public awareness about the importance of healthy sleep habits only exacerbate the problem.
The impact restful sleep have on your overall well-being
- Physical health: Tissues and muscles repair themselves when we’re asleep and our immune system gets stronger too. Thus getting enough rest helps prevent illness and keeps you physically at your best.
- Mental clarity: Productivity relies heavily on clarity of thought so if you’ve been having trouble focusing or remembering things lately — poor sleep might be the cause. Good-quality zzz's sharpen concentration ability, memory recall & problem-solving skills which makes all tasks easier to tackle throughout your day.
- Emotional stability: Nobody likes mood swings but they can be especially dangerous when left unchecked during difficult times as it could lead to full blown anxiety or depression disorders. Healthy amounts of shut-eye have a calming effect on moodiness so don’t brush this one off till its too late!
- Energy Levels: Good sleep is the bedrock of energy levels and brings overall vitality. Waking up feeling well-rested allows you to tackle the day head-on with a fighting spirit, which leads to more productivity and enjoyment in your daily activities.
- Stress Reduction: Sleep is a natural stress reliever that chills out your cortisol levels (the hormone linked to stress). It helps relax your mind and body in ways no other activity can imitate. A regular dose of restful sleep will give you a balanced stress response, making you more resilient to life's challenges.
A healthy sleep makes you healthier
Sleep is one of the four pillars of health, alongside diet, exercise, and stress management. When you sleep, your body repairs itself after a long day and recharges your battery for tomorrow’s shenanigans. Even just one night of inadequate sleep can lead to decreased energy levels and various health problems over time. Make it a priority to get enough restful sleep so that you can give 100% every waking minute.
