Sleep: The Body’s Inbuilt Reset System.

Sleep, the body’s natural reset program, is a biological necessity that is gradually being overlooked, as the world moves towards 24-hour industrialization. People now view sleep as an obstacle to their productivity, rather than a necessary time-out that the body requires to function adequately.

Did you know that sleep is responsible for the smooth regulation of many critical systems working in your body? The quality and quantity of sleep you get often determine a number of factors.  Factors like your attention span, the quality of your immune defense, your emotional state, and the level of energy you exhibit throughout the day.

In this article, you will get to understand the functions and importance of quality sleep. Its effects and the recommended habits that encourage good sleep.

 

FUNCTIONS OF SLEEP IN THE BODY

• Memory consolidation and cognitive function:

  Good sleep facilitates active cognitive functions such as your ability to be vigilant and be alert, to think clearly, and have a sound attention span.  Additionally, your memories are consolidated while you sleep. The amount of sleep you get also serves a role in your emotional regulation.

• Brain detoxification and waste clearance:

It rids the brain of unwanted metabolic products, like amyloid-beta plaques, through the glymphatic system, for optimal brain functionality.

• Physical growth and healing:

 Deep sleep aids in physical healing and growth by triggering the release of hormones for tissue repair, muscle growth, and protein synthesis, facilitating physical growth and healing.

• Immune System Support:

 Sleep regulates your immune system, ensuring that your immune system is strengthened. This improves your body’s response to vaccination and its ability to combat infections.

• Metabolism and cardiovascular health: 

Sleep modulates the hormones in your body that are responsible for alerting the body when you are hungry and when you are filled up(Ghrelin and Leptin). It also modifies your blood pressure as your body naturally slows down when you sleep, lowering your blood pressure and blood circulation.

EFFECTS OF INADEQUATE SLEEP

With the knowledge of how important sleep is to your body, it is safe to say that the impact of not getting enough rest on your body would be drastic. 

Accumulated sleep deficits over a short period of time can take a toll on your active cognitive functions, affecting their performance. This includes your working memory, speed, and accuracy. Another result of sleep deficits is high levels of irritability and mood swings. This is as a result of its direct connection to the processing of your emotional memory. Meaning, the less sleep you get, the more likely you are to select and remember negative memories.

Poor sleep also affects your body’s metabolism and energy levels. This is due to the lack of restoration and repair obtained from sleep. Inadequate sleep also increases your risk of cardiovascular diseases and immune system depreciation.

The quality of sleep you get is not just tied to the number of hours you get to rest, but also to the time you go to sleep and its uninterruptedness.

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LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS TO IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF SLEEP. 

1. Consistently observe a 7-9 hour sleep duration:

In order to get the best out of your sleep, and get a better quality of body reset, your sleep time should always be within a minimum of 7, 7 and a half hours and a maximum of 9 hours.

2. Create a restful environment:

Create an environment that allows your body to sleep comfortably, without interruption. This includes organizing your bedroom, eliminating disturbances such as noise and light exposure, and ensuring proper ventilation.

3. Maintain a constant sleep and waking schedule:

It is important that you maintain a consistent sleep/wake cycle. It improves your quality of sleep by regulating your body’s internal clock. A good sleep cycle also helps you to fall asleep faster without waking up and reduces grogginess after you wake up. This helps your body to reset naturally.

 In addition to these lifestyle improvements, another way to help support good quality sleep is with NATURE’S FIELD MELATONIN.

​NATURE’S FIELD MELATONIN contains melatonin, a hormone produced in your brain to help regulate your sleep cycle. Melatonin production increases at night to put you in a state of calmness. Taking nature’s field melatonin tablet 1-2 hours before bedtime assists you in falling asleep faster, reducing frequent nighttime waking.