As a general rule, a minimum of 7 hours of sleep is required each night for optimal health. A good night’s sleep is just as important as regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Sleep deprivation can put your health and safety at risk, which is why it’s essential that you prioritise and protect your sleep on a daily basis.
While you sleep, your blood pressure goes down, giving your heart and blood vessels a bit of a rest. The less sleep you get, the longer your blood pressure stays up during a 24-hour cycle. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, including stroke.
Sleep also has links to several brain functions, including:
- – Concentration
- – Productivity
- – Cognition
Here are some of our tips for a good night sleep:
1. Relax
Around half the UK population suffers from stress-induced sleep problems, so it’s important you take the time to relax before you go to bed.
2. Avoid technology
Put away your smartphone, computer and TV from your bedroom, and avoid looking at them for an hour before bed.
3. Don’t drink caffeine late in the day
Caffeine can significantly lower your body’s ability to fall asleep and it can last in your body for up to 10 hours after consumption. Consider staying away from beverages containing caffeine at least 5 to 6 hours before your bedtime.
4. Use bed only for sleeping
Try not to use your bed for anything other than sleeping. If you use the bed as a place to watch TV, eat, read, work on your laptop, pay bills, and other things, your body will not learn this connection.
5. Eat Right
A healthy, balanced diet will help you to sleep well, but timing is important. Everyone has a sleepless night once in a while. But if you regularly have trouble sleeping, talk to one of our doctors.
Click here to book an appointment or call us on 0207 838 6180 or email us on contact@cpmedicalclinic.com
We look forward to treating you!