The Importance Of Sleep: Prioritize Your Zzzs
Chronic pain, drugs, stress, and even excessive noise can affect daily body rhythms and moods. If you’re someone who deals with mental health struggles, paying attention to your sleep can be especially helpful. Yet, no matter the circumstances, the importance of sleep has implications for many different areas of life.
At Ultimate Phitness, we believe that fitness is holistic and there are many different factors that go into a healthy lifestyle. Paying attention to your mental health and eating a balanced diet are things that you can do to benefit your overall health and set yourself up for success. However, just as important in your wellness balance is getting the full amount of sleep you need each night and prioritizing your Zzzs,
The bottom line: sleep is important, so let’s discuss that.
Causes of sleeping difficulty
Insomnia
Many times the people who truly believe in the importance of sleep are the ones that struggle getting it. Insomnia is one of the most common reasons why individuals struggle going to sleep and it can disrupt many different aspects of life.
A person suffering from insomnia has difficulty initiating or maintaining normal sleep, which can result in non-restorative sleep and impairment of daytime functioning. Insomnia includes sleeping too little, difficulty falling asleep, awakening frequently during the night, or waking up early and being unable to get back to sleep.
Insomnia can result from a variety of factors. Those with depression, for example, may experience overwhelming feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt, all of which can interrupt sleep. Other mental illnesses can make falling asleep difficult, so it’s important to remember that there are so many different things that can lead to insomnia.
If you think that you might be experiencing insomnia or irregular sleep patterns, make an appointment to speak with your primary care provider. They’ll be able to help you find the right course of action and provide suggestions on ways to improve your sleep. Every sleep struggle is valid, so don’t be afraid to reach out and speak to a professional about the options that are available.
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
This is the most common circadian-rhythm sleep disorder that results in insomnia and daytime sleepiness. A short circuit between a person’s biological clock and the 24-hour day causes this sleep disorder. It is commonly found in those with mild or major depression. In addition, certain medications used to treat bipolar disorder may disrupt the sleep-wake cycle.
Before you begin taking a certain medication, ask your doctor if there’s a possibility that it could impact your sleep. Being aware of this possibility will mean that you can come up with strategies to prepare for it. Remaining proactive and aware is one of the best ways to deal with possible sleep issues. So take action, do research, and ask your doctor what to do if the medication you’re taking does impact your sleep.
REM Sleep Abnormalities
REM sleep abnormalities have been implicated by doctors in a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, some forms of schizophrenia, and other disorders in which psychosis occurs.
REM sleep is important to health and brain function. Sleep is the time when your body processes information and prepares for the following day, so it’s incredibly important to give your body that time to rest. There are so many different processes occurring during the sleep cycle and your body is missing out on those if you’re not prioritizing sleep and making sure that it fits into your daily schedule.
Making time for sleep
Prioritizing sleep means putting your health first and giving your body the rest that it needs. It can be difficult to find time to get enough sleep, but scheduling out time to sleep can make a huge difference and improve your life in so many ways.
If you’re struggling with sleep, it can be helpful to create a nighttime routine that will signal to your body that it’s time to rest. Engaging in calming activities, such as yoga or journaling, can be a great way to unwind and get ready for bed.
Sometimes there are situations that are more severe and will require further help. If you’re struggling to get sleep, reach out to a professional and they’ll be able to direct you towards the best course of action.
Implementing a holistic approach
It can be difficult to find time to sleep if you’ve got a busy schedule. However, the importance of sleep should remain as a priority and is necessary to stay in good health. Sleep ensures that your body has all of the resources you need. Setting an alarm or asking a friend to remind you to sleep are great ways to ensure that you’re being held accountable.
At Ultimate Phitness, we know taking time to slow down and do self care can be challenging. That’s why we’re passionate about helping individuals make positive choices that will change their lives. Progress happens overnight, so we stay with our clients to ensure that they’re remaining motivated and in pursuit of their goals. If you’re interested in learning more about our philosophy at Ultimate Phitness, you can check out our app or our website to get some more information and learn about what we can do to help you on your health journey.